After controlling the pace for much of the opening half, Jesuit Dallas broke through with a pair of second half goals in a season-opening triumph over the Bishop Lynch Friars, 2-0, in the first round of the 2016 Jesuit-Meintser Soccer Invitational on Thursday afternoon.

Seniors Johnny Balok and Patrick Howell picked up their first goals of the season for the Rangers (1-0-0), who fired 11 shots, including six on target, and procured eight corner kick opportunities.  Defensively, the Rangers limited the Friars to a single shot, a first half attempt saved by senior goalkeeper Luke Ostrander.

The Rangers and Friars (0-1) battled to a stalemate over the first 35 minutes of the contest, although Jesuit held a firm grasp on the pace of the game.  After a shot by senior Will Kennard that sailed wide set the tone five minutes in, the Rangers placed three shots on target, including a header by junior Ethan Moore that narrowly sailed over the crossbar 13 minutes into the opening half. 

Bishop Lynch took a shot with three minutes remaining in the half, as Friar forward Jonathan Bruce collected a ball inside the box but sent a shot directly into the waiting arms of Ostrander, sending the game into halftime scoreless.

Jesuit Dallas opened the second half with three corner kick attempts inside the first 10 minutes, the third of which was sent into the back of the net.  Senior Garrett Scott recorded an assist on the goal, placing a stellar corner kick into the middle of the box, where it found the waiting head of Balok, who deflected the ball just under the crossbar to break the tie and put the Rangers ahead.

Less than three minutes later, Howell took advantage of disarray on a loose ball situation, collecting a deflected loft pass on the near side of the box, sending a low shot past the reach of the Friar goalkeeper and into the net, giving the Rangers a two-goal advantage.  Jesuit Dallas continued to control the pace of the contest, not allowing a shot in the second half en route to the win.

The Rangers will next battle Sachse on Friday, Jan. 8 at 6 p.m.  The Mustangs defeated North Mesquite, the 2015 Meintser Invitational Champions, in the second game of Thursday's action to advance to the semifinals.