FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The MU Invitational kicked off at Methodist University on Friday night, and an early goal by the host Monarchs was enough to outlast the Marymount men's soccer team, 1-0, to open the two-day event. 

Methodist found the back of the net in the first 17 seconds, getting an early jump off a cross into the box where Monarchs' Conor Morris connected for the redirection. 

The Saints looked to answer quickly with three shots over the next 15 minutes off the feet of juniors Mynor Danilo Lopez, Chris Cardenas and Sebastian Hendi, but all soared just high and wide. 

The Monarchs continued to push on the offensive end, but sophomore goalkeeper John Valcicak didn't allow another one past, collecting two saves through the rest of the game. 

The men will look to conclude the tournament in the win column on Saturday, September 9, when they take on Sewanee at 1 p.m., at the Monarch Soccerplex.