ELSAH, IL – The Principia men's soccer team opened their 2026 campaign with a 2-0 home win over Illinois College in the Saturday evening heat. The Panthers got a pair of goals from freshman Alberto Hernandez, while Edgar Cartagena made eight saves in goal to secure the season-opening shutout.

Principia found the breakthrough in the 21st minute after creating a flurry of chances in front of the Illinois College goal. A Shepherd Thomas header off a corner kick hit the crossbar and Alejandro Liborio had a rebound shot saved before Hernandez finished the sequence with a header of his own for his first collegiate goal.

Illinois College had a huge opportunity to answer just ten minutes later. The Blue Boys were awarded a penalty kick, but Cartagena came up huge with the save on both the shot and the rebound to preserve the lead. It was part of a busy first half for the Principia keeper, who made six saves before the break as the Panthers carried their 1-0 advantage into the break.

Principia earned a penalty kick of their own just six minutes into the second half. Hernandez stepped to the spot and converted into the top right corner to complete a brace in his first collegiate game and give his team some breathing room at 2-0.

The Panthers did the rest defensively, limiting Illinois College to five shots in the second half as Cartagena added two more saves to complete the clean sheet. Principia finished with a 15-11 advantage in shots, while both teams put eight on target.

The men will look to continue their winning ways when they travel to Kansas City on Monday, September 7 to take on Spurgeon College at 12:30 PM CT.