LAKE WALES, Fla. (September 15, 2018) – The Warriors scored first and held a 1-0 lead early on, but ultimately could not hold off a strong Royals' men's soccer team as the Webber International University men's soccer team fell to Warner University, 2-1, in a Saturday night match under the lights at Royals Field.

It was the first loss of the season for Webber (4-1-1), which saw senior Armani D'Agostino score the first goal of his season 10 minutes into the action. D'Agostino's goal was the second of his career and was assisted by Baxter Smith, a newcomer this year who has now notched at least one point in all five of his matches as a Warrior so far.

Warner (6-1) proceeded to a launch six of the next seven shots attempts over the next 17 minutes of action, leading to the tying score by Matheus Santiago in the 28th minute on a penalty kick, an area that has continued to plague the Warriors during the young season. It was the fifth goal of the season for Santiago.

In the second half, Webber was outshot 7-1 as Dawson Johnson scored on the assist from Santiago less than six minutes into the period.

In its seven matches so far in 2018, Warner has scored 18 goals while the Warriors have mustered 10 goals in five matches. Each of the Warriors' decisions thus far have come by a margin of one or fewer goals.

Head Men's Soccer Coach Neil Cockburn said, "We fought a typical, passionate fight against Warner, but the difference between us and Warner is that they executed their game plan better than we did. The positive of this loss is that the boys are as hungry as ever to beat Warner in the return leg this season, and they won't underestimate them again."

Webber and Warner will meet for a second time in 2018, this time with Sun Conference implications on the line, in two weeks on Saturday, September 29, at 10 a.m. on Warrior Field.

Goalkeeper Thomas Debladis, who entered the matchup on Saturday averaging over nine saves per match on the season, finished with seven saves. Offensively, Smith led the way with three shots attempts, two on goal, while Ervin Ikanovic, D'Agostino, Bryan Meija, Roman Nielavitzky and Kaleb Kelly each had one attempt.

Next up, Webber will return to its home field in Babson Park, Florida, on Tuesday, September 18, to face Florida College at 4 p.m., and then the Warriors will open up Sun Conference play on Saturday, September 22, at Johnson & Wales University.