ELKINS – The Davis & Elkins College Senators opened up the 2017 season with a 2-1 win over Salem International on Thursday night at Nuttall Field.
 
Newcomer Rafa Moreno opened his Senator career with a goal in the 35^th minute to give Davis & Elkins a 1-0 lead.
 
Moreno took a lobbed through ball pass from near midfield by fellow Spainard Pablo Salvador Lopez and hit his shot over the diving Tigers keeper to find the net.
 
In the 41^st minute, it was Salvador Lopez's turn, as he turned in a free kick from 24 yards out on the left side to the top right corner to give the Senators a 2-0 lead.
 
In the second half, the visitors picked up the pressure and cut the deficit in half with a goal off a corner kick. Federico Toschi connected on the corner from Vitor Teixeira with his right foot to beat Everton Carvalho.
 
Carvalho made three saves in the game, including a crucial stop on another corner in the 85^th minute, tipping a header over the bar to preserve the lead.
 
The Senators will return to action on Wednesday, September 6 with the opening of Great Midwest Athletic Conference action. D&E will make the short trip up the road to Alderson Broaddus, taking on the rival with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.