ODESSA, TX – In their season opener the Colorado Christian men's soccer team scored the contest's first goal but a pair of late game net-finders lifted UT-Permian Basin to a 2-1 victory on Thursday evening.

The host Falcons scored both goals in the last 15 minutes to rally for the victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED: After a scoreless first half, in which Cougar goalkeeper Max Collingwood made five saves, zeros stayed on the scoreboard until there was just over 15 minutes left in regulation.

Zach Mercier scored his first collegiate goal in the 76th minute after taking a pass from Dmitri Fabro and depositing the ball in the back of the net. However, the one-goal lead was short lived.

UT Permian Basin tied the contest one minute after the Mercier goal. In the 77th minute Kasper Wallstroem knotted the score off a feed from Sergio Morgado. With exactly five minutes left, John Karlsen found the back of the net to score what proved to be the game winner.

During the final minute Aiden McGeown had a shot in which the ball hit the post but couldn't get over the goal line.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

* McGeown took a team high three shots as he played 82 minutes
* UT Permian Basni held a 22-7 edge in total shots
* Each team was whistled for 12 fouls while each squad had three yellow cards

UP NEXT: The Texas road swing continues on Sunday afternoon when the Cougars travel to Lubbock Christian for a 1 p.m. (CDT) contest.