BELMONT, N.C.- The Queens University of Charlotte men's soccer team dropped its season opener, 3-1, to Belmont Abbey Saturday evening. The Royals fall to 0-1 (0-0 SAC) to start the year, while Belmont Abbey opens 1-1.
 
Belmont Abbey would be the first on the board at the 19^th minute mark, with Miwoned Siraj scoring. The Crusaders then found the back of the net again in the 25th before Queens forward Felipe Mendonca scored the Royals' lone goal of the night in the 26th minute off an assist from Maximilian Lebedev cutting the margin back to one. However, another goal soon followed for the Crusaders to put them on top 3-1, and that score held until intermission. 
 
Looking for a comeback in the second, the Royals made an intense push as they tallied 11 shots, eight of which were on goal. Unfortunately, Queens wasn't able to find another goal in the match as the Crusaders walked away the victor tonight. 
 
Overall, Queens outshot Belmont Abbey 17-10 and had an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal. Mendonca led the team with eight shots, three on goals, while Elvis Menayese contributed two shots, both on goal.
 
Freshman goalkeeper Nicolai Anderson made his debut starting for the Royals, finishing the match with one save.
 
The Royals will be back in action Tuesday, September 7 at home, taking on Clayton State University. The match is set to begin at 7:30 at Dickson Field.