The Varsity Eagles Soccer team hosted the South Christian Sailors in their opening home match of the season on Wednesday night at Gainey Athletic Complex. The match pitted defending state champions from division 2 and division 3. Both teams brought strong defensive play into the match, making it difficult to find good scoring opportunities. The teams battled to a 0-0 score at the half in hot conditions as the Eagles mounted pressure by controlling the ball while South Christian challenged the Eagles defense on restarts and quick counter attacks. The second half found the game opening up as the hot conditions took their toll. The Eagles found their best scoring chance on a shot from distance by senior Jonathan Clarkin who ripped it to the upper corner of the Sailors net, only to be touched away by the Sailors%u2019 goalkeeper. Eagles%u2019 goalkeeper Cooper Hutt patrolled the box well, taking balls out of the air and thwarting the Sailors%u2019 attacks time after time. At the end of the 80-minute battle, both teams remained scoreless, ending this year%u2019s battle in a 0-0 draw. The Eagles travel to Gull Lake on Saturday morning to play back-to-back matches against Richmond Gull Lake and Holland Public, two perennial top-10 teams in the state.