The No. 22 University of Redlands men's soccer team opened up its season with a 0-3 loss at the hands of the NAIA's Azusa Pacific University on Thursday night in Redlands.

Azusa Pacific's firepower up top proved too heavy for the Bulldog back line as multiple shots were hammered in the direction of senior goalkeeper Evan Hobson (San Diego, CA).

The Cougars struck first when Robert James took advantage of a perfectly-placed corner in the 11th minute, heading the ball past Hobson. In addition to that goal, Azusa Pacific ripped five other shots on target in the first half, all of which Hobson stopped.

Brett Taylor, who earned the assist on the first goal, took a ball from Trenton Titus and crossed a shot to the opposite post in the 50th minute, making the score 2-0 in favor of the visitors.

After sustaining a hard foul in the box in the 58th minute, senior midfielder Jeff Willey (Medina, WA) gained an opportunity to put the Bulldogs within one with a penalty kick. His shot went high and wound up 10 feet above the crossbar while the Cougars breathed a sigh of relief with a two-goal cushion still in tact.

Cito Soriano buried the final goal of the match off of a header in the 84th minute, and Redlands was unable to respond after that.

Despite accounting for all three goals, Hobson kept the game within reach for the Bulldogs. The senior goalkeeper made eight saves, many of which came off of well-played balls.

Tyler Stromberg played the full 90 minutes between the pipes for the Cougars and recorded the shutout.

Redlands (0-1) looks to avenge the loss on Saturday when it matches up with Pacific University (OR) at home. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Farquhar Field.