MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner scored a pair goals in the first half of tonight's season opener against Talladega here at John Mark Stallings field, but the resilient Tornados struck back with two unanswered goals in the second period to send the game into extended play. The Eagles' Costandinos Whitehead ended the stalemate with a rocket behind a down goalkeeper two minutes into the second overtime giving Faulkner the 3-2 win.

Alec Daley struck first for the home team on a cross from Gnande Zleh in the 13th minute of the outing and Brighton Masuka extend the Eagle lead to 2-0 when he fired a patient shot behind the diving goalkeeper 13 minutes later.

Talladega refused to go home quietly, however, and Jose Rodriquez put the visitors on the board when he rifled a free kick around the wall and into the netting.

The visitors dug a deeper hole when Angel Arias left the game on a red card with 15 minutes still on the clock.

The setback proved inconsequential in regulation, however, as the Tornados penetrated the back line firing a bullet that resulted in an own goal when defender Tawanda Tauari attempted to clear it.

The first overtime proved fruitless for both sides despite countless well-orchestrated attack efforts by the home team.

Whitehead finally put the Eagles at ease when he beat the diving keeper for the winning goal.

Pritchard Ndiara allowed two goals and secured a pair of saves in the win.

"We played sloppy guys, but great teams find a way to win and you did," head coach Kyle Beard told his team after the game. "We have got to be ready to play. We can't quit before it's over. They're a good team, but we're going to see much better. Great win guys, but you know we have work to do beginning tomorrow."

Faulkner (1-0) will next enter their own Eagle Cup Invitational this weekend. The Eagles open with Wiley College on Friday at 5 p.m. at the Faulkner Soccer Complex.