The Malone University men's soccer team picked up the program's first-ever Great Midwest Athletic Conference victory on Thursday afternoon with a 2-1 win at home over Kentucky Wesleyan College.
 
The Pioneers pounced on the Panthers in the early going, scoring twice in the first 15 minutes of the match.
 
Robert Nemes got things started in the sixth minute, collecting a pass from Jake Martell near the middle of the field and firing a laser past the Kentucky Wesleyan keeper for his second goal of the season.
 
Nick Astalos made it 2-0 for the Pioneers less than 10 minutes later.  Passes from Matt Piccioni and Gino Finelli set things up for Astalos and the senior put the ball in the net for the third time this season and the 11^th time in his career.
 
Malone then maintained its two-goal advantage until the 87^th minute when Kentucky Wesleyan got on the scoreboard with a goal from Austin Moore.
 
However, the Pioneer defense and keeper Carter Skains held strong the rest of the way, preserving the 2-1 triumph.
 
Malone held a 16-8 edge in total shots and a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal.
 
The win avenged a 4-1 loss at KWC on September 17^th, evening the season series at one victory apiece.
 
The Pioneers will aim to make it two in a row on Saturday when the squad hosts a 4:00 p.m. home match against Trevecca Nazarene University.