Box Score NAMPA, Idaho – The Northwest Nazarene men's soccer team lost its Great Northwest Athletic Conference opener 1-0 on Thursday to Montana State Billings.

Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Nadermann made multiple point blank saves and the Nighthawks created eight shots on goal, but couldn't find the equalizer in the first game played under the new lights at NNU Field.

"From the very first minute to the last, we worked hard and we worked as a unit," NNU's Jake Levine said. "Despite the emotions and the small fights that were going on on the field, we stuck together and we fought for each other and still tried to execute the plan until the last minute.

"When you do that and you still lose, there is only so much you can do different."

Billings scored on a breakaway after a failed corner kick by the Nighthawks (4-3-0 overall, 0-1-0 GNAC) on the other end.

After a scrum in front of the goal, the ball bounced toward midfield and Yaniss Aka booted it ahead to a wide open Theo Lamare who slotted it into the lower left corner of the net.

"There is a lot to learn from this one," NNU coach Adam Pearce said. "We created plenty of chances like we have been doing and that is encouraging that we are still doing it against a quality GNAC opponent, but ultimately it still comes down to us.

"There were three goals I think we should have scored. If you don't finish those against quality teams in this conference you will get punished for it."

Levine had his share of unlucky balls, including one where he slid in on goal and the ball bounced off the goalie and then just sat there while he tried to scramble to his feet. Levine, NNU's leading scorer this season who had scored five goals in his last three games coming into Thursday, finished with four shots on goal.

"I've had games where I blindly slide for the ball and had three go in," he said. "I've had games where I slide on the ball and put it exactly where I want it and the keeper falls on it. Tonight was just one of those nights."

Despite the loss, the Nighthawks played solid. The defense was a tad shaky in the first half, but Nadermann bailed them out. In the second half, the Nighthawks solidified and kept the pressure on the Yellowjackets (4-3-1, 1-0-0).

"We have great confidence in our goalkeeping corps," Pearce said. "They come up with those saves in training so it's become par for the course. We probably shouldn't overlook them so much because those saves aren't easy to do."

Nadermann finished with six saves.

The Nighthawks have a bye on Saturday before traveling west of the mountains to face Seattle Pacific at 8 p.m. MDT on Thursday and Saint Martin's at 4 p.m. MDT on Saturday.

"We will look at this game and analyze it and see what we need to work on," Levine said. "We've had a game plan since Day 1 and the opponent does not matter. We have a job to do and we know what we're supposed to do.

"So, week in and week out, we just need to focus on the things we need to work on."