ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Eckerd College used a pair of goals a half hour apart to upend visiting Flagler College 2-0 in non-conference men's soccer action on Sunday night at Johnson Field.
 
The Tritons (2-0-0) broke a scoreless deadlock in the 35th minute thanks to a goal from Agustin Pertusso. Eckerd out-shot the Saints 10-3 in the opening half and took a 1-0 lead into the halftime locker room.
 
Flagler (0-1-0) responded out of the break and saw the majority of the possession in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, but the Tritons extended their lead against the run of play in the 65th minute. This time, Eckerd's Blake Bauer headed home a rebounded attempt that had caromed off the post to deal the hosts a 2-0 advantage that would hold until the final whistle.

The Saints challenged in the offensive third at times, but ultimately were unable to solve a stingy Eckerd defense.
 
A host of newcomers saw their first action in a Flagler uniform in Sunday's 2019 opener. One of those newcomers, Owen Punselie, recorded a team-high two shots in 33 minutes of action. Hugh Wilkinson logged the Saints' lone shot on target. 
 
Transfer goalkeeper Andrea Lubbia made six saves in his Flagler debut. His counterpart, David Ormiston, turned in the clean sheet and tallied one save.
 
The Saints will look to bounce back on Thursday (Sept. 12) as they travel to the University of Tampa for another non-league contest. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

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