HARROGATE, Tenn. — The Lincoln Memorial University men’s soccer team used a pair of first-half goals to propel themselves to a 2-1 victory over the Chargers of the University of Alabama-Huntsville in the opener of the 2012 season at the LMU Soccer Complex on Saturday afternoon. The Railsplitters move to 1-0 to start the season, while the Chargers fall to 0-1.

The Railsplitters threatened to break the game wide open early as they scored two goals in the first twenty minutes of play to assume control of the match. Preseason All-SAC first team selection Chris Nash struck first for the Railsplitters, scoring in the 17th minute with a header. Tony Garibaldi picked up the assist on the goal as Nash took advantage of a throw in to notch his first goal of the season.

At the conclusion of the 18th minute, the Railsplitters found the net again, this time off the foot of Diego Deschamp. The Belo Horizonte, Brazil, native scored the magnificent goal without an assist, taking the ball single-handedly into the box and scoring to put LMU on top 2-0.

The game remained at a 2-0 score in favor of the Railsplitters until the 82nd minute, as the Chargers got on the board with a goal from Kyle Simmons. Simmons chipped the ball in from the left side following a long pass from Mitch Wilson, who got the assist on the play.

In the closing minutes of play, the Railsplitters limited Alabama-Huntsville to only one shot which was swallowed up by goalkeeper Brady Seehorn to retain the one goal advantage. Chris Nash narrowly missed putting the Railsplitters back on top by two but a save and a high shot from Nash kept the score at 2-1, which fell as the final margin in the contest.

LMU dominated the match offensively, firing 24 shots to only nine for the Chargers. Diego Deschamp led the way for the Railsplitters with five shots in the contest.

Sophomore Brady Seehorn played all 90 minutes in goal for the Railsplitters, picking up five saves on the afternoon.

LMU is back in action today, as they host Union University at the LMU Soccer Complex. That contest is slated for a 4:30 p.m. start.