Great Falls, Mont. – In a chippy start to the conference season, the University of Providence men's soccer team defeated Northwest 2-1.

The Argos got going early off a goal from Leo Alemeida off the pass from Alain Murhula in the 15^th minute. They found the net again right before the period ended when George Holloway scored off a broken clearance to make it 2-0 at the half.The Eagles responded aggressively in the second half, putting the pressure on the Argos. Elliot Misic scored in the 71st minute, but the Argos managed to hang on to secure the victory.

"It was definitely a game of two halves," head coach Matt Ball said. "In the first half we looked really good, knocked the ball around very nicely. Scored two goals that we deserved to score and could have had more. Just a very comfortable half and that's what we're capable of. Second half, Northwest came out with more intensity and obviously trying to get those goals back. But we invited the pressure. A little bit disappointing the way we finished the game. Ultimately we started conference with a win so you can't be too dissatisfied with that."

The game got chippy in the second half, with both teams arguing with both each other and the refereeing. Three yellow cards were issued in the second half – one on Providence and two on Northwestern.

"Any type of game like this where you start focusing on something else takes you out of your game, which is what you saw in the second half and allowed Northwest to come back a little bit," Ball said. "We stopped playing and were too focused on the bad calls. Luckily we scraped through and got away with it but we'll have to be better going forward."

Holloway scored his fourth goal of the season, equaling one in every match so far this season. He'll look to add to his total tomorrow, when the Argos will have to rebound quickly as they return to Argo Field tomorrow to play Evergreen State at 3:30 p.m. Ball subbed accordingly today to ensure his guys were well-rested.

"We're used to this," he said. "There's guys on the bench who didn't play or didn't play a lot of minutes who can definitely come into a starting lineup tomorrow and freshen us up a little bit."