At 6-3, Hamline junior Ryan Pyle was one of the biggest presences on Paterson Field in the men's soccer season opener against Wartburg Friday. With a big assist from the smallest guy out there -- 5-5 Adam King, Pyle stood out even more than usual with the game's lone tally in a 1-0 win over the Knights. 

10 minutes into the second half, King scampered dow the right side of the field and spotted Pyle breaking towards the net. Pyle (14) perfectly redirected the ball into the goal and that was all Hamline would need to open the 2018 season on a satisfying note. 

At the other end of the field, senior goalie Dean Isaacson was superb, making 10 saves to eanr his 14th career shutout. Isaacson was consistently sharp in both halves, recording five saves in each 45 minute segment. HU had seven shots of their own with King and Seif El-Fatairy leading the way with two each. 

The Pipers have a short time to rest on their initial laurel. The middle encounter of this three-game homestand see HU welcoming Pacific (Oregon) to Paterson on Sunday, Sept. 2 at 12:30 p.m. The Boxers opened the season Friday by playing a scoreless 2 OT tie at Macalester. The game is the second of a soccer twinbill. The women's team meets Cal Lutheran at 10:30 a.m.