NEW ULM, Minn. (Aug. 29, 2025) - The Buena Vista University men's soccer team began its season with a strong all-around showing on Friday evening en route to a 2-0 shutout at Martin Luther College.

The Beavers were on the attack for the majority of the contest putting up 25 total shots and holding the Knights to only five. It was a balanced attack with 13 shots over the first 45 minutes and 14 over the course of the second half. The team also registered nine corner kicks while MLC had none.

Senior Caleb Swanson and freshman Brayden Schwinck connected near the midway point of the first half for BVU to break a scoreless contest. It was Swanson's third career goal and the first career point for Schwinck in his collegiate debut. That's how things stayed until senior Kendall Bickford sent a nice lead pass into freshman Andres Gonzaelz, who scored his first collegiate goal to give BVU a 2-0 cushion midway through the second half.

That proved to be more than enough for the Beaver defense that only allowed the Knights to get three shots-on-goal. Junior Zachary Sigler went the distance in-goal and turned in all three saves en route to his second career shutout and his seventh win overall.

The victory marks the second straight shutout for BVU over the Knights as the Beavers blanked Martin Luther, 3-0, in last season's opener in Storm Lake.

Buena Vista (1-0) will host Blackburn College on Sunday, Aug. 31, in its home opener starting at 1 p.m.