IRVINE, CA --- First impressions being as important as they are, the NAIA's No. 2-ranked Concordia made a 2-0 start of its home schedule and season with a 2-0 blanking of No. 11 Hastings (NE) in a Sunday matinee.

The men finish out their first homestand of the season, and don't play at home again until Wednesday, Sept. 30, when they open the Golden State Athletic Conference slate against Point Loma Nazarene.

"I thought that the guys played very well," first-year head coach Chris Gould said. "They showed patience and maturity and they dictated the pace at home, which is always good. It was a good test for us. It's going to be a tough season with the schedule that we play, so it's good to get prepared early."

Junior forward Roi Castro continued to make his presence known in his first weekend as an Eagle, as he scored the eventual game-winning goal for the second day in a row in the game's 32nd minute.

Castro finished Concordia's first goal on the afternoon thanks to a nifty through-pass from Jon Carlson, giving the Eagles all the offense they'd need.

Concordia picked up its second goal when junior forward Bruno Sad headed in a free kick from senior midfielder Ryan Angell.

Sophomore goalkeeper James Rammelsberg nabbed four saves, while Hastings keeper Cody Poteat turned away five shots.

The Eagles return to action Tuesday (Sept. 8) when they travel to NCAA Div. II Cal State San Bernardino at 1:30 p.m.