CALEDONIA, Mich. - The Davenport men's soccer team returned home after a tough road trip and picked up a much-needed 2-1 win over St. Cloud State on Friday night to open their GLIAC and home schedule. The Huskies are a new addition to the GLIAC in men's soccer and tonight was the first meeting between the schools. Also a first tonight was Shane Marinkovich getting a start in goal. The freshman from South Lyon, Michigan picked up a win and played well with five saves including four in the second half. The Panthers also got what appeared to be a full-strength Matt Whelan. The forward played 67 minutes and contributed a goal and assist in the first half.

Justice Sikkema got the Panthers on the board first in the 13th minute with his third goal of the season. Whelan played a nice ball through the middle in the offensive end and Sikkema won a foot race with a St. Cloud State defender. He gathered the ball and shot along the ground from around 25 yards out for the quick lead. The Panthers added to their lead in the 25th minute off a corner kick. Evan Marquess took the corner and served it to the 18-yard box where Cian Quinn got a touch toward the front of the goal. Whelan battled for the ball and scored from close range for his first goal of the season and assists to Marquess and Quinn.

Davenport controlled the possession and tempo throughout but the game changed slightly in the 61st minute. The Huskies cut the deficit in half as Andres Garcia scored his first of the season. Emmanuel Iwe took the ball on the left wing near the edge of the 18-yard box and passed to Garcia in the middle of the box. Garcia took a quick shot and placed it well just under the crossbar from around 17 yards away. The Panthers held on from that point and finished with 14 shots including five shots on goal. 

"I am proud of the boys tonight," said head coach Chris Hughes. "They battled a well-coached St. Cloud State team. The three points were needed coming out of the gate in league competition. Now we heal our bodies and get ready for a good Upper Iowa squad on Sunday."

The Panthers (1-3, 1-0 GLIAC) will welcome Upper Iowa on Sunday for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff. The Peacocks are 3-1, 0-1 GLIAC after a 3-0 loss at Purdue Northwest earlier today.