FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Logan Farrington became the first freshman to score two goals in the season opener since 2010 for the Milwaukee men's soccer team, leading the way in a 3-2 victory over Purdue Fort Wayne Thursday at The Plex South indoor facility.
 
"The group got off to a really good start," head coach Kris Kelderman said. "We had a really good first half and then got the third goal shortly after the break. I was pleasantly surprised; we haven't had a game in 15 months and considering we were playing in a different environment where the field was smaller. We were all super-excited to play and it showed in the guy's effort."
 
The Panthers (1-0) jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the Mastodons (0-1) made it interesting, but held on in the end to get the new season started off on the right foot.
 
"Once we got up 3-0, I think it was fair to say we got too comfortable and gave up two goals," Kelderman said. "At the same time, it was very encouraging because we could have, and should have had, a number of more goals – in addition to getting the result."
 
Farrington, who ended the afternoon with a game-high nine shots, opened the scoring in the 16^th minute when he finished off a centering pass from Kasper Davidsson.
 
Farrington started the play, picking up a turnover beyond midfield and passing to Davidsson, who carried the ball down the left side. Once he got the ball back, Farrington took a right-footed shot that curled inside the right post at the 15:09 mark for his first collegiate goal.
 
Paolo Gratton doubled up the advantage in the 20^th minute, finding a way to sneak in a free kick from the endline from Josh Kidder at a tough angle at the far post.
 
Farrington had an opportunity to cash in again in the first half, but an impressive save by the Mastodon keeper on a 25^th-minute breakaway kept it 2-0 at time. The Panthers nearly made it 3-0 right before the break as well, but Davidsson's impressive header was stopped just short on a diving attempt in the 44^th minute.
 
Farrington completed the brace at the 57:35 mark, putting home a through ball after David Cox found him on a break for the 1-on-1 opportunity. The two goals marked a first for a freshman in a season opener since Edison Crespo did the same in the 2010 opener, marking just the third time in program history the feat has been recorded (Dan Day actually had three back in 1984).
 
The Mastodons made it interesting, finding the back of the net twice in a span of just 82 seconds to pull within one at 3-2 at the 65:13 mark.
 
Redshirt freshman Ben Nast made his first start in goal for the Panthers, picking up a key save at the 88:51 mark to preserve the win. He also made stops in the 76^th and 67^th minutes when it was still just a one-goal contest. His save of the day came in the 51^st minute, pushing a free kick just high with a sprawling attempt.
 
Shots were 10-2 MKE at the half and finished at 19-10, with the Panthers holding 63 percent possession on the day. Besides Farrington's nine shots, next up for Milwaukee was Gratton with three.

Up next, the Panthers continue to the 2021 slate with another road contest, traveling to play Northern Kentucky Feb. 10. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CST.