WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic men's soccer team faced a stern test tonight in its home opener against the Lander University Bearcats. The No. 13 ranked Sailfish were able to score the lone second-half goal and pull out the 3-2 victory to move to 3-0 on the season.

The Bearcats opened the game on the front foot from the jump and controlled the opening 15 minutes. Sailfish keeper Guillermo Falo was called upon to come up big immediately when he made a save in a one-on-one situation in the fourth minute. He was saved by the frame of his goal just a minute later as he was caught off his line and a near midfield chip attempt hit the crossbar. Falo was called for a foul in the 15th minute in the box that rewarded the Bearcats with a penalty, but he came up with a big leg save to keep the game scoreless. 

The Sailfish were able to settle the game down and broke through on their first real chance in the 23rd minute. Good hustle by Fred Ferreira kept the ball alive for the 'Fish in the Lander final third and the PBA press forced them into a mistake as Nemanja Zivanovic got on the end of a misplayed backpass. He muscled aside the defender and slotted the ball past the Lader keeper to put PBA ahead 1-0. 

The 'Fish broke through for a second time just six minutes later, as Yannick Toth swung a ball out wide to Harry Gardner. Gardner cut inside on his right-foot and ripped a shot from the edge of the box past the Lander keeper at the near post to put PBA up 2-0. Lander was finally able to get one past Falo after a multitude of chances in the 32nd minute on a nicely taken free-kick from the edge of the box. Inside of a minute left in the opening half, they scored again as Falo made a nice initial save but a scramble in front of goal allowed the Bearcats second goal. After an action-packed 45 minutes of play, the two sides were tied 2-2. 

The Sailfish came out of the half played the style we have come accustomed to seeing as they were able to stay on the ball longer and find space in the midfield. In the 59th minute, Brian McGivern swung a cross into the box and it was the two centerbacks who connected as Orion McHugh chested it down for Samuel Richards who was able to slide it into the corner. In a game with plenty of goals and chances, there was really never another great chance for each side as PBA outplayed the Bearcats in the second half to earn the 3-2 win.

After controlling just 44 percent of the possession in the opening half, PBA ended the game with 52 percent overall. They were outshot by Lander 19-10 and 10-5 in shots on goal but Falo was able to come up huge for the 'Fish, especially early on, with eight saves. 

The 'Fish remain perfect on the season and will have a quick turnaround next against Clayton State on Sunday at the Rinker Athletic Campus. The Lakers are 1-0-2 on the season and are coming off a 2-2 game at Lynn tonight.