MIDLAND, Mich. – A three-goal flurry in the first half sent Missouri S&T's men's soccer team to a loss in its season-opening contest Sunday afternoon, as Northwood handed the Miners a 5-2 setback to begin the 2018 campaign.

After spotting Northwood a goal from Nino Evola 1:55 into play, the Miners knotted up the score in the 24^th minute when Austin Parks (Rolla, MO/Rolla) scored off an assist from Unnar Ulfarsson (Gardabaer, Iceland/Fjolnir Reykjavik).   However, the Timberwolves regained the advantage exactly five minutes later on a goal by Ben Campbell, which turned out to be the first of three goals Northwood would score in a span of just more than seven minutes.

Jack Doyle scored for the Timberwolves in the 33^rd minute and Teddy Stacey, who had assisted on the two previous goals, got a shot past S&T goalkeeper Nick Posey (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) at the 35:20 mark to make it 4-1.

S&T got a goal closer in the early moments of the second half when Ulfarsson tallied an unassisted goal, but the Miners were unable to cut into the lead any further over the course of the final 45 minutes.

Northwood got a goal from Austin Hobbs with 2:09 to play to close the scoring.

The Timberwolves (2-0) outshot the Miners 20-17 in the game as Posey finished with nine saves in goal for S&T.  Parks had five of the Miners' 17 shots.

Missouri S&T will remain on the road to take on Davenport Tuesday at 1 p.m. (Eastern time).