WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- Playing in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997, the American men's soccer team made its presence felt early, as it defeated Ohio State, 2-1, in its first-round matchup.

The Eagles advance to the second round to face host Wake Forest here on Sunday, Nov. 25, at 2:00 p.m.

American (12-7-2) struck twice in the first six minutes of the game, and then had to hold on as the Buckeyes made a furious rally in the final five minutes of play.

The first Eagle goal came off a corner from Jonathon Colton. Centering the ball in the middle of the box, Larry McDonald took Colton's corner, and headed it toward the goal mouth. Jeff Kinney was the man on the spot, and put home a volley that placed American on the board, leading 1-0, in the fourth minute.

American struck again less than three minutes later when Andrew Herman found the back of the net off a cross at the 5:58 mark. The Patriot League Rookie of the Year has been a huge part of the Eagles' late-season surge, and he came through in the clutch again today.

Ohio State did not go away after American's early flurry. The Buckeyes answered with a late surge of their own, and finally got on the board with just 94 seconds to play.

American, who improved its NCAA record to 8-5 all-time, is making its first appearance in the NCAAs since 1997, when the Eagles advanced to the Elite Eight.

Fresh off its first Patriot League championship, Ameircan is in its inaugural season as a member of the Patriot League.