WESTMINSTER, Md. - The McDaniel College men's soccer team scored twice in a tightly contested matchup against Hood Saturday as the Green Terror posted a 2-0 victory in their home opener.

Both defenses set the tone early in a battle of unbeaten teams. In a game that featured 29 fouls, McDaniel was able to find some openings in the Blazers' defense as the physical play continued through most of the first half.

The Green Terror (4-0) racked up three yellow cards in the opening half, but were still able to build a rhythm offensively.

In the 16th minute, freshman AJ Nordone controlled a long pass on the edge of the box. He took a shot that was rejected by the Blazers goalkeeper, but corralled the deflection and took an off-balance shot that found the back of the net for the game's first goal.

Hood (3-1) found some openings in the Green Terror defense, but sophomore Matt Bowes continuously beat the Hood forwards to the ball on several long passes. This allowed the McDaniel defense to regroup and hold the Blazers scoreless in the first 45 minutes.

The physical play continued as the second half began as McDaniel and Hood combined for five fouls in the first 10 minutes. 

In the 61st minute, senior Tyler Reid played a perfect ball into the box where a leaping Nick Starr used his head to send it to a cutting Justin Winborne-Freeman at the six yard line who finished it with his left foot to give the Green Terro a 2-0 lead. The double assist was McDaniel's first of the season and the offense kept up their stellar play for the remainder of the matchup.

Freshman Joshua Martins found an opening twice on the left side of the box with one of the shots banging off the crossbar and the second being saved by the goalkeeper.

McDaniel continued to create opportunities as the clock wound down. After a chippy last few minutes, the Green Terror stood firm and kept its undefeated start to the season in tact. Through four games, senior Austin Heid has yet to surrender a goal. 

McDaniel returns to action on Wednesday at Goucher. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.