By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Perrysburg, OH---The Owens Express men's soccer team opened the season Sunday with a 7-1 win over Mercyhurst North East.

Rising star Novak Vuk Janicic (Elektro Technicka Skola/Belgrade, Serbia) led the way with three goals. The freshman's three goals were the final three of the first half, which saw the Express take a 5-0 lead.

AJ Klever (Northview/Toledo, Ohio) picked up the first goal of the season for Owens as he scored at the 10:38 mark of the first half. At the 18:49 mark, Nickyle Webber (Cornwall College/Trelawny, Jamaica) added a second one before Vuk Janicic scored at the 27:57, 33:44, and 40:46 marks.

Mercyhurst scored its lone goal at the 46:00 mark to make it 5-1. However, Owens answered back with goals from Ababacar Ndoye (Ypsilanti/Ypsilanti, Mich.) at the 72:12 mark and from Jauvanie Cole (Coconut Creek/Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) at the 80th minute on a PK.

Three players picked up two assists each for the Express, as well. Cole assisted on the first two, while Chris Kervick (De La Salle College/Waterford, Ireland) assisted on Vuk Janicic's first goal and Ndoye's goal. Klever assisted on Vuk Janicic's last two goals in the first half.

Jake Olman (Maumee/Maumee, Ohio) got the start in goal for the Express. He made three saves, while Mercyhurst only managed eight shots on goal. On the other hand, Owens had 18 shots on goal.

The Express are now 1-0 this year. They will travel to Ancilla College on Saturday before traveling to Muskegon C.C. on Sunday.