THE LEAD
The Dallas Baptist University Men's Soccer team needed two overtime periods to defeat Harding University 1-0 in the season opener on Thursday night at Patriot Soccer Field in Dallas, Texas. Jacob Garcia scored the gamewinner with 8:47 left on the clock in the second period of extra time to give the Patriots the victory.

Garcia received the ball in transition and rocketed a shot from distance, despite having a 3-on-2 advantage. His shot passed through the hands of Harding goalie Michael Wasson for the win. Garcia, Brooks Friedman and Garrett Morgan each recorded two shots on goal to lead a Patriots offense that outshot the Bison 18-10. Goalkeeper Sean Bouland made two crucial saves to secure the first clean sheet of 2016.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- DBU is 4-0-1 in season openers since returning to campus in 2012, including a 3-0-1 mark against Harding in the past four openers.
 - The Patriots' defense forced the Bison to make bad shots, allowing just two shots on goal.
 - Dating back to 2015, DBU is 3-1-1 in their last five matches.

COACH CHIP DUTCHIK - ON WINNING THE SEASON OPENER
"It's always good to get the first win. You want to get it early, and we were able to. It was a good battle. I'm proud of our guys. We knew we were fit. We knew we were strong. We knew we were tough. We would've liked to get it in regulation, but we'll take it either way"

JACOB GARCIA - ON THE GAMEWINNING GOAL
"It was pretty ambitious. We had a 3-on-2. I could've easily taken that down, but it was bouncing and sitting there on a silver platter. I was like 'Why not?' I hit it, and it felt solid. I knew it was a good strike."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
9 - The Patriots fired off nine shots in the first half alone.
7 - DBU's offense forced Michael Wasson to make seven saves in the match, including four in the second half.
5 - Five different Patriots registered a shot on goal in the contest.

UP NEXT
DBU hits the road to face Southwestern Assemblies of God University on Saturday evening at 6 p.m.in Waxahachie, Texas.