ASHLAND, Ohio -- One goal the Missouri S&T had for the 2008 season was to be a better offensive team, and in Friday's season opening contest against Ashland, the Miners put three goals on the board.

However, Ashland countered with four, including the game-winner on a penalty kick with just over 25 minutes remaining, to come away with a 4-3 win over the Miners.

S&T fell behind 2-0 in the first 20 minutes of the contest, as Adam Spannbauer scored twice from close in. But the Miners' Nick Landon (Ballwin, Mo./Marquette) answered with two goals of his own before the first half ended to draw S&T even by the intermission.

Landon's first goal was an unassisted tally at the 38:45 mark, then he tied the game nearly four minutes later when he converted a cross from Afif Najjar (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell Central).

The Eagles regained the lead 8:49 into the second half when Spannbauer completed his hat trick by scoring on a volley past goalkeeper Pat McNamee (Fenton, Mo./Vianney ), who took over at the start of the second half from Tom Lawton (Madison, Wis./Madison West).

S&T tied the score again at the 62:08 mark when Mario Calderon (Mexico City, Mexico/ITESM) redirected a ball from Brandon Moore (Rolla, Mo./Rolla) past goalkeeper Ryan Cruise to knot the score at three. But moments later, the Miners were whistled for a foul in the penalty area and Tom Mangotic made the penalty kick for what turned out to be the decisive goal.

The Miners outshot the Eagles 12-8 in the game.