BLUEFIELD, W.V. - Grace's men's soccer team's season debut was spoiled Friday night in a 3-0 loss against Bluefield.

Despite the result in the final scoreline, Grace outshot Bluefield 9-4. The Rams (1-0) worked efficiently scoring three goals on just four shots.

"This was a good match for us to play early in the season. It was physical and served as a wakeup call to us that we are not as good as we think," said Grace head coach Matt Hotchkin. "As much as we don't want to struggle in our first game, it is exactly what we needed."

The Lancers (0-1) were unable to overcome an early goal by the Rams' Salvatore Viola. Grace found itself facing a 1-0 deficit at the six-minute mark in the match. 

Joshua Coupar tried to earn the equalizing goal in the 33rd minute, but his shot was saved by the Rams' goalie. Coupar had another chance at the end of the half, but he was unable to find the back of the net.

The competition was fierce in the first half as Grace was determined not to let the match get out of reach. Both teams played with physicality as they combined for 19 fouls in the half. The Rams held their 1-0 lead going into halftime.

The Lancers tried to produce momentum into the next 45 minutes. Breno Oliveira tried to put Grace on the board at the start of the second half, but his shot sailed above the crossbar.

Ulisses Miranda had three chances to tie the game in the second half, but he was unable to work the keeper. His first two shots went high, while his shot at the 70-minute mark went just wide.

Bluefield sealed its victory in the tail end of the match by tacking on two more goals to its lead. Kevin Stoffle scored in the 80th minute; Abel Bogale put the game away in the 84th minute.

Oliveira and Miranda had three shots apiece as they led the Lancers' attack. Marcelo Talamas had one shot in his Grace debut.

Several other Lancers made their Grace debut in the match. Miranda, Coupar, Nathan Harte, Shemar DeGammes, Omar Gonzalez and Togo Narusawa all made their first appearance in a Lancer uniform against Bluefield.

The physical play continued throughout the game as several yellow cards were handed out to both sides. The Rams were awarded four yellow cards in the second half alone.

"I can see what we are capable of. The game wasn't as uneven as the scoreline suggests, but it wasn't high quality on our end. Our anticipation was not there on offense or defense," Hotchkin said. "I believe we could have changed a few things tactically which would have helped our guys in the second half. But we will bounce back, we will keep growing, and we will be better because this happened."

The Lancers will continue their stint in Bluefield as they prepare to take on John Wesley on Sunday. The match kicks off at 2:30 p.m.