CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Concord University men's soccer team fell to the nationally-ranked, 23^rd-rated Charleston Golden Eagles in their Mountain East Conference opener, 3-1 on Sunday afternoon at the Welch Athletic Complex.
 
Concord (1-1-1, 0-1 MEC) struck first, but couldn't sustain the lead as Charleston (3-1-0, 1-0 MEC) found two second half goals to pull away.
 
Sophomore midfielder Koya Nakamura continued his excellent form to start the season with a beautiful strike from distance to open the scoring in the 16th minute. Junior forward Stephane Shongo found his first points for CU, providing the assist to Nakamura.
 
Concord continued applying pressure, but Charleston broke through in the 36th minute to tie the contest.
 
The only shots on goal in the first half was the scoring for both teams.
 
In what was a very physical contest, Concord went down a man in the 66th minute and UC took advantage, scoring just four minutes after to take the lead in the 70th.
 
Charleston added a goal in the 81^st minute.
 
While Concord controlled much of the first off, Charleston commanded the second half. UC led in shots 15-5 and in shots on goal 6-1.
 
Junior goalkeeper Iori Tanaka made three saves in the game, all in the second half.
 
Offensively, Nakamura had two shots.
 
Concord is set to make its home debut on Wednesday against West Virginia Wesleyan at 4 p.m. inside Callaghan Stadium.