MIAMI, Fla. - The Lander men's soccer team could not capitalize on a number of good opportunities in its season opener, falling 2-0 on a sweltering
afternoon at Barry University on Saturday.

The contest marked the second consecutive year that the Bearcats, 0-1 overall, opened the season against the defending Sunshine State Conference champs. Lander is coming off a 2009 season that saw it win the Peach Belt Conference tournament and advance to the NCAA tourney for the sixth straight season.

The Buccaneers controlled possession early with Alvaro Yusty hitting the top of the bar after 10 minutes. Nine minutes later, Barry took the lead when Mark Anderson chipped the ball in against Lander goalkeeper Matthew Atkinson to make it 1-0.

The Bearcats picked up the pressure midway through the first half as Andy Ludewig's header was saved by Bucs goalkeeper Johnny Rodrigues, and Aaron Brittain lifted a shot just over the bar.

Lander continued to test Rodrigues early in the second half as Brittain's cross into the box found Ludewig, whose backheel was saved by a diving stop.

Moments later, Brittain had he best chance of the match for Lander when he got free on a breakaway. He rounded Rodrigues but could not find the angle for the shot.

Barry then took advantage on the counterattack as Anderson flicked a pass to Koettig, who drilled it past Atkinson to make it 2-0.

The Bearcats continued to attack, only to be denied again when Tyler Johnston threaded a pass to Alex Pethick, whose shot was saved by Rodrigues.

"We're definitely taking away more positives than negatives," said Van Taylor. "We competed well and really had some great opportunities. Their goalkeeper made some good saves."

Barry outshot the Bearcats 12-8 while Lander's offensive pressure resulted in eight corner kicks to just one for the Bucs.

"The guys came together and gave a really good effort against a great team," said Brittain, the 2008 Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year. "It was a tough test but the boys left it all on the field."