WINCHESTER, Va. – The Shenandoah University men's soccer team opened its season, and the Matt Smith era, with a 3-2 non-league victory over Southern Virginia Saturday afternoon.

Shenandoah (1-0) snapped a 21-game losing streak with the victory over SVU (0-2). SU had not won since defeating Guilford on October 16, 2015.

Following an own goal at 25:44, the Hornets led throughout the contest.

Sam Natkin set up Dustin Huber at 28:24 to put SU up 2-0, and after SVU cut its deficit in half by converting a penalty kick at 55:56, Matthew Stoltzfus netted the game-clinching goal at 62:09.

Nick Seymour had perfect cross on Stoltzfus' goal, finding the junior on the back post where Stoltzfus was able to tap the ball into a nearly open net.

In between Huber's goal and the Southern Virginia tally, Hornets goalkeeper Sam Fischer stoned Marrott Weekes on a penalty kick attempt.

Fischer dove left and knocked Weekes' shot to the side to keep the Knights off the board.

Exactly 60 seconds later, SVU was awarded a second PK and Weekes was able to beat Fischer to the goalkeeper's left.

Shenandoah outshot its visitors 18-9 and took all seven of the game's corners.

Fischer had four saves.

"This feels really good," Smith said of the team's opening win. "I think the guys were pressing a bit (because of the losing streak) and now they are much more relaxed.

"We have to get right back at it."

The squad is back in action tomorrow at 3:00 versus William Peace.

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