BUENA VISTA, Va. — The Southern Virginia University men's soccer team opened their 2017 home campaign against Ferrum College on Friday, falling to the Panthers by a score of 3-1, with the Knights' lone goal coming from a penalty shot.

Ferrum (1-0) jumped to a quick lead in the tenth minute, scoring from a free kick just outside the penalty box. The Panthers struck again in the first half, on a defensive miscue, to take a 2-0 lead at the intermission. 

Three minutes into the second half, the Panthers scored their final goal of the game and led the Knights 3-0. The only goal for the Knights finally came in the 82nd minute when Gregg Allen (Provo, Utah) connected on a penalty kick, resulting from a hand ball. 

"I thought we all fought hard today," said first-year head coach Jan Boer. "We have several young players who are getting used to the physicality and speed of college soccer, but I wasn't dissatisfied with how we played."

Southern Virginia was outshot 17-7 (10-4 on goal), but Colin Flynn (Chesapeake, Va.) recorded seven saves in goal. Marrott Weekes and Matt Diede also contributed to the Knights' defense. 

The Knights will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Shenandoah. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.