WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Catholic University men's soccer team got its 2023 campaign off to a winning start, dispatching Shenandoah 2-1 in a match that had a little bit of everything.

Five Cardinal newcomers started and two found the net to lead No. 16 Catholic to the victory. In his first collegiate start, it took Maxim Pencak just 135 seconds to open the scoring. He drifted into the penalty area unmarked and rose highest to nod home a Domenico Caltabiano corner, converting on Catholic's first chance of the game. Caltabiano picked up right where he left off last season when he set the single-season program record for most assists in a campaign.

The Cardinals were presented with a golden opportunity to double their advantage just three minutes later when Gordie Bernlohr earned his team a penalty kick. However, Hornet goalkeeper Travis Jett made a massive save, thwarting Caltabiano with a diving stop low down to his right.

Just two minutes later, Shenandoah earned a own penalty kick of its own when a Hornet was dragged down in the penalty area. Nathan Yared, Shenandoah's most dangerous attacking threat throughout the 90 minutes, converted the chance past freshman goalkeeper Owen Allegro to equal the score.

Ben Zimmer came close to putting Catholic ahead in the 19th minute but his effort from outside the box clanged off the right-hand post and away to Hornets' safety.

Just three minutes later, it was another debut goal that nudged the Cardinals into a lead that they would maintain for the rest of the afternoon. Following in on a Caltabiano shot, Kwaku Marfo-Sarbeng was quickest to react after Jett could only parry the initial effort.

Despite the wild start to the game that produced two goals and two penalty kicks in the opening 10 minutes, neither team was able to muster a goal in the second half. Allegro made five saves in his debut, only conceding the single goal on the penalty kick.

Shenandoah pushed for an equalizer in the second half but was reduced to 10 men after Aron Alexander was sent off for a second yellow card. Alexander earned his first caution in the 75th minute for dissent before being shown the second just three minutes later for a similar incident. 

Nine total newcomers made their Catholic debuts on the day. In addition to the two goal-scorers and Allegro in goal, new arrivals Hayden Lim and Mudi Jagha both earned starts for head coach Travis Beauchamp.

The Cardinals will do battle with No. 12 Messiah tomorrow at 2 p.m. in what will effectively be the championship match of the 10th annual Turk Emekli Classic. The Falcons dispatched TCNJ 4-0 in the opening match of the tournament and are coming off an impressive campaign that saw them go 20-0-2.