BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Freshman Bradley Farias fired the game-winning goal in the 38th minute and Campbell's defense kept Loyola (Md.) off the board for a 1-0 victory at the Eakes Athletics Complex on Saturday evening.
The Camels improved to 2-0-0 for the first time since the 2006 season and have posted back-to-back shutouts in their first two matches for the first time since 1988.
The game-winner also doubled as the first score of Farias' young career. The freshman from Indiantown, Fla., was played in by fellow freshman Michael Clemmons, but Loyola goalkeeper Matt Sanchez stepped in to clear it out. Farias stepped into position in front of the clearance and was able to deflect it into the top left corner of the net for the 1-0 lead at 37:43.
"It was the best feeling in the world. Getting the goal was great, but more importantly we were able to come away with the win. That's what we needed as a team," Farias said.
Campbell limited the Greyhounds to only one shot in the contest. Connor Thompson broke free through the defense and tried to beat Matthew Mozynski from 10 yards out, but the redshirt freshman keeper slid in for the save.
Mozynski now owns shutouts in each of his first two collegiate contests and has 11 saves.
"We put in a lot of hard work on defense this week," Farias said of the strong effort on that side of the ball. "We want to keep on improving by putting in a lot of extra work, and hopefully we get better and better as the season goes on."
Campbell outshot Loyola by a 6-1 margin in the contest and also owned a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Aside from Farias' goal and Mozynski being forced into action on the save, neither side could muster much offense. The only other shot came from Clemmons, whose attempt from 20 yards out went wide left and out for a goal kick in the 40th minute.
In the second half, Campbell held possession in Loyola's half for much of the period. Farias put another shot on goal in the 57th minute, followed just six minutes later by an attempt from Ricki Gaez that was stopped by Sanchez.
Sophomore Tunji Osifeso tried to add to the scoreline in the 72nd minute with a laser from the top of the 18-yard box, but a Greyhounds defender was able to deflect it away. Campbell's final chance of the night came off the foot of junior Reafe Anderson as he escaped pressure down the left side, but his chance sailed high and wide right of the net.
Campbell will return to action next Thursday, Sept. 11, as the Camels go back on the road for their longest road trip of the season, taking on former Atlantic Sun foe Stetson in DeLand, Fla., at 6 p.m. The Camels have won four of the last five meetings against the Hatters and hold an 11-7-1 record in the all-time series.
