Kansas City, Mo. - The Cougar men's soccer team defeated Avila University by a score of 5-0 on Wednesday night in their season opener. Columbia improves to 1-0 overall while the Eagles fall to 0-1.

Senior Zac Walters notched the lone goal of the first half in the 21^st minute of the game. Columbia added four more goals following the halftime break, including one by Piero Malerba and Zachary Felz in the 66^th and 74^th minutes. Two minutes later sophomore Carter Cox found the back of the net to give the Cougars a 4-0 lead. Felz assisted on the play. Newcomer Nic Powers capped off the scoring with a goal in the 85^th minute and Columbia would go on to complete the shutout win.

The Cougars finished with 15 shots (11 on goal) for the game, while limiting the Eagles to just two on the night. Daniel Ainsworth had two saves to earn the shutout in goal for Columbia.

The Cougars will return to the field September 2^nd when they travel to Olathe, Kan. to take on Mid-America Nazarene University. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.