Despite losing his first game of the season 1-0 to Virginia Tech, men’s soccer coach David MacWilliams said he was encouraged by his team’s play.

“I think we played extremely well,” MacWilliams said. “We just didn’t get any great chances.”

The Owls will now look to Sunday’s matchup against James Madison for their first win in 2012.

“We’re playing at their home field and they have a quality striker in [senior midfielder Paul] Wyatt,” MacWilliams said. “They scored six goals last night so I think it’s going to be a tough game for us.”

In what may have come as a surprising move to most people, sophomore goalie Dan Scheck got the starting nod over junior Bobby Rosato in the season opener. MacWilliams acknowledged that each were supposed to see action in the game, but Rosato was hurt during warm-ups.

“They both had great preseasons,” MacWilliams said. “They were both playing on the same level in my opinion. Scheck may have even been a little bit ahead.”

The 13th year head coach was not happy about the lone goal of the game. Virginia Tech’s Jed Prater was assessed with a penalty kick in the 55th minute after the Owls were called for a foul near the end line. Prater was able to slip the ball passed Scheck for the game-winner.

“I think the only person that thought it was a foul was the official who called it,” MacWilliams said.

The Owls look to bounce back against James Madison, who are coming off a lopsided 6-1 win over St. Bonaventure, today at 2:30 PM.

-Tyler Sablich