LISLE, Ill. - The Benedictine University men's soccer team opened the 2015 season with a 1-0 loss to nationally recognized North Park University, allowing a goal with less than two minutes left.

"I thought our intensity and compete level was right where it needed to be for long stretches of the match," said head coach Rich Nassif. "If we found some more composure on the ball, I am confident we could have won that game going away. But we let a quality side like North Park hang around too long, and they punished us. We will learn our lesson and move on."

Benedictine overcame a slow first half to amass 10 shots in the second, creating chances to nearly take the lead. The lone goal scored came just moments after keeper Steve Mack made a save as North Park, receiving votes in the national poll and picked to finish second in the CCIW, scored in the 89th minute.

Mack made five saves in goal. Benedictine held a 10-5 edge in shots during the second half, finishing the contest with each team notching 12. Nick Kapetanos posted seven shots, with three on target.

"This is going to be a very fun season for Benedictine if we can build off of this performance, Nassif added. "We thank the Benedictine students coming out in force to support us and we hope we showed them how great this team will be throughout the 2015 season."

Benedictine (0-1) hosts Millikin University on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m.