FOND DU LAC, Wis. – Junior Jose Luis Alvarado scored five minutes into the second half to break a 1-1 tie and the Marian University men's soccer team topped Illinois Tech 2-1 Thursday afternoon in the season opener for both teams.

At 14:57 in the first half Illinois Tech converted a penalty kick and led 1-0. Over the ensuing 30 minutes the Sabres had numerous scoring chances and with five minutes remaining in the half the Blue and White hit pay dirt.

Muhammed Abshir delivered a perfectly timed cross and junior Alonso Fragoso found the low far-right corner to tie it at 1-1.

The Sabres (1-0) dictated the pace of the game and outshot the Scarlet Hawks 18-11, including a 13-5 margin in the first half.

Fragoso led the Sabres with six shots and senior Ramon Sutherland attempted three shots on goal. Sutherland nearly put the contest out of reach late in the second half, narrowly missing the left goal post.

The Sabres return to action Monday at St. Thomas (Minnesota) and return home Saturday, Sept. 10 against Saint Mary's (Minn.). 

--FightBlueFight--