KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Unlike the women's soccer program moments before, the Avila men needed just one goal – and it came late – to open KCAC play with a victory over Bethany on Friday at The Z.

Both teams registered just six shots each in the opening 45 minutes. The heat on the artificial pitch on Avila's campus may have played a role in the slower pace.

In the first half, the Eagles had seven corner kick opportunities but were unable to convert a goal from any of them as the two KCAC squads entered halftime scoreless.

Eighteen total shots – 11 from Avila and seven from Bethany – as well as four total yellow cards came from a back-and-forth second half.

The goal that seemed like it would never come arrived in the 78^th minute from a freshman from Independence, Mo.

Beck Snowden, playing in just his sixth collegiate game, took a beautiful headed pass from Malcolm Goswell, used his powerful right foot to sneak it past the Swedes' keeper to give Avila a 1-0 lead – the only goal they would need.

Goalkeeper Harrison Ennis was a brick wall defending the Avila net, stopping all six shots he faced for the second-consecutive Avila shutout, playing an integral role in the 1-0 KCAC-opening win for the Eagles. 

With three wins in 2025, Avila has already matched its win total from each of the last three seasons and will look to record a fourth single-season win for the first time since 2018.

The Eagles will look to extend its winning streak to three on Wednesday as they travel to Evangel for a 7:30 PM kickoff to open up the road portion of KCAC play.