WILSON, N.C. - The Palm Beach Atlantic men's soccer team opened its 2022 season tonight with a 1-0 win at Barton College. The No. 13 ranked Sailfish scored early in the first half and then controlled the game throughout to move to 1-0 on the year. 

It took the Sailfish just twelve minutes to score their opening goal of the season. Federico Serra picked up the ball on the right side of the Barton box and was able to get a pass through a double team to find a cutting Harry Gardner. Gardner was able to place a right-footed shot into the bottom-left corner of the goal to beat a helpless keeper and put the 'Fish ahead. 

The Sailfish were on the front foot and in control of the ball throughout the opening half. They outshot the Bulldogs 11-1  in the first 45 minutes of play as Guillermo Falo was forced into just one save on the night. Currently without All-American centerback Michael Pahr, the defensive pairing of Samuel Richards and Orion McHugh was solid in keeping the PBA goal from coming under pressure.

PBA had 20 shots on the night but were unable to break through again to add to the scoreline. With the scoreboard still tight despite controlling the play, the Sailfish were able to smartly hold off the Bulldogs and limit them to just five total shots and one on target for the game.

The win marks the first for head coach victory PBA's interim head coach Lucas Martorana. The Sailfish have a quick turnaround as they wrap up their two-game North Carolina road trip on Saturday against Shaw. The Sailfish defeated the Bears 4-1 last season when the two sides met.