SEARCY, Ark. – Senior Rodrigo Barrientos shot upper middle of the goal, and it found the back of the net to help Dallas Baptist Men's soccer team open the year topping Harding 3-2. The victory for DBU (1-0) makes the program 2-0 in opening days with the soccer team shutting out LeTourneau last year in the inaugural season.
 
The Patriots were tested, having led since the end of the first half, when Jackson Buchanan for Harding (0-1) tied the game on a crazy turn around shot. Jeremy Rector and Ryan Wilhelm each tallied assists on the play coming at the 77:51 mark that could have impacted the course of the game.   
 
Dallas Baptist, which features many sophomores and freshman on the roster, faced a challenge being on the road and potentially losing momentum late. Barrientos, one of two seniors on the squad, took a pass from junior, Ryan Jackson to get his first goal of the year and a big one at the 83:05 point.
 
Head Coach Chris Crawford praised his players for not giving up and playing hard through the end. "This was a huge win for our guys tonight not only to start the season off on the right foot, but to see the guys never quit and keep fighting for each other," Crawford commented.
 
The second year coach added, "This was a tough, hard battle and Harding played great, but our guys definitely wanted it tonight."
 
It didn't take long for the Bison to get on the scoreboard with Ryan Wilhelm nailing a penalty kick to go up 1-0 at the 7:47 mark. However, the Patriots lockdown defense took over and held Harding to one shot attempt the rest of the half.
 
Riley Alvey, making his collegiate debut, knocked in his first goal of the season and DBU's first official one to knot the game at 16:18 minute. Junior Midfielder, David Balyeat, recorded the assist and delivered the ball for Alvey in the middle of goal, which the freshman finished with a shot to the lower middle of the net.
 
Balyeat, who led last year's squad in goals scored, put in his first of the season off a penalty kick. The Mesquite, Texas, native sent the Patriots in front 2-1 at 36:13 mark and the scored remained that way at halftime.
 
Patriots goalkeeper, Chuck Schober (1-0) played 90:00 minutes in goal and allowed two goals and got one save. Harding fired eight shots, and had three on goal.
 
Seth Peterson started as goalkeeper and surrendered two goals in the first period. Will Lynn (0-1) also saw action, playing the entire second half and suffering the loss by allowing the game winning goal. He did record three saves.
 
DBU fired off 17 shots in the game compared to eight by HU. Balyeat and Barrientos each led the team with four shots apiece and one goal. Alvey followed with three attempts and notched the other score for the Patriots.
 
Dallas Baptist will be back in action Saturday at Christian Brothers University for a 1pm start time.