FOREST GROVE, Ore. - The Multnomah Lions opened their season with a 2-1 loss on the road against Pacific University. Multnomah (0-1, 0-0 CCC) was unlucky to find the equalizer before the final whistle, with multiple attempts on goal narrowly put wide or saved by Pacific's goalkeeper. Despite the loss, this first test for the Lions proved to be an excellent opportunity for sixth-year Head Coach Dalon Parker to work out some kinks in his tactics ahead of the start of the conference season.

"I think we were unlucky to not walk away with a win tonight," shared Parker when asked for his thoughts following the game. "We were in control for long stretches of the game, but we struggled to stay composed going forward late in the game. Pacific made it hard for us to break them down after they went down to 10 men - there are lessons to be learned, and we've already shifted our focus to Monday's game."

The first half was evenly matched, with both sides having a fair share of the possession in the early stages of the game. However, the pressure from the Boxer's frontline would finally be too much for the Lions, where in the 21st minute, forward Donovan Jaramillo was able to head the ball into the net following a giveaway from Multnomah's defense. Despite the setback, Multnomah was able to find a way back into the game, thanks to a header from defender Edwin Balbuena, who had made his way forward and got on the end of a cross from Axcele Biteghe, tying the game at 1-1 right at the stroke of halftime.

As the second half wore on, the tension between the two teams began to rise, as yellow cards started to accumulate for players on both sides, which eventually led to the one red card of the night for Pacific midfielder Noah Gosch.

Pacific's ability to be effective on the counter made things difficult for Multnomah for much of Friday night's contest, and the Lions' defense would eventually give way as the Boxers managed to score their second of the night through Carter Zeiset in the 79th minute. Zeiset's goal would hold as the game winner for Pacific, who now move to 1-0 (0-0 NWC) on the season.

The Lions have the rest of the weekend off, as they prepare to take on the University of Portland in a massive exhibition game on Monday at 7:00 pm, before returning home to take on Pacific Union College on Wednesday at 7:00 pm.