WHEATON, Ill -- The 2011 season got off to a rough start for the Covenant Scots as they fell in their season opener 1-0 to Wheaton College in the first game of the Bob Baptista Invitational, hosted by Wheaton College.

 

Covenant, who is ranked #8 by the coaches in the 2011 NCCAA Preseason Top 10, falls to 0-1 on the young season. The match was also Wheaton’s opener and the Thunder, coming off an 11-7-3 season a year ago, move to 1-0.

 

It was a hot and humid night in the Midwest and after roughly an 11-hour drive from Lookout Mountain to Wheaton on Thursday the Scots struggled to get going early on. The Scots’ only shot attempt in the first 45 minutes came from David Huertas at the 17:32 mark.

 

The Thunder, meanwhile, dominated their side of the pitch gaining a 10-1 advantage in shots in the first half. After several chances came up empty, Wheaton capitalized in the 23rd minute with a header from Chad Musgraves that found the net from 10 yards out. The sequence started with a corner kick by Cory Weaver, then Drew Golz found Musgraves for the score to put the Thunder up 1-0.

 

Covenant still trailed by a single goal late in the second period when the Scots tried to mount a comeback. The Scots had three shot attempts within the final five minutes of regulation, including a Gordon Carpenter shot that was saved by Thunder keeper Ryan Seager at the 85:26 mark. Chris Pifer and Huertas also had chances to tie the score, but both of their shots could not find the goal.

 

Wheaton out-shot the Scots 18-6 for the match. Covenant keeper John Eger made 4 saves while allowing just the one goal.

 

Covenant will take on North Central College on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. to conclude the Bob Baptista Invitational.