NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - The Westminster College men's soccer team kicked off the season with a first-half fury against visiting Pitt-Bradford on Friday. The Titans jumped to a three-goal halftime lead before hanging on for a 4-3 win in non-conference action.

Junior forward Andrew Saporito (Irwin, Pa./Penn-Trafford) scored two goals, including the game-winner, spurring the Titans to the win.

Senior midfielder Todd Atwood (Colleyville, Texas/Colleyville Heritage) netted two goals, the first on a diving header in the 29th minute and another on an assist from classmate Mark Sadler (New Kensington, Pa./St. Joseph's) to give the Titans the 3-0 halftime advantage.

Pitt-Bradford (0-1) was undeterred, however, scoring goals in the 53rd, 55th, and 65th minutes, before Saporito deposited the game-winner on a unassisted goal in the 67th minute.

The combined goalkeeping efforts of Christopher Passione (Valencia, Pa./Mars) and Anthony Beilstein (Butler, Pa./Knoch) secured the win. Beilstein, who entered the match in the 45th minute, absorbed the three Pitt-Bradford goals while stopping three shots. Passione made four saves.

The Titans held an 18-12 advantage on shots and a 5-4 edge on corner kicks.

Westminster (1-0) returns to action on Saturday against Medaille at 4 p.m.

Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College is ranked among national leaders in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Guide to America's Best Colleges, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of "The Best 361 Colleges" and "Best in the Northeast" by The Princeton Review, and was recognized by the Templeton Guide as a "Character Building College."

Nearly 1,600 students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty, while choosing from 41 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa. campus.