Faulkner improved to 5-0 on the season, marking the best start in program history, Tuesday afternoon at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala. with a 2-1 victory over Talladega.

The match resembled a classic Talladega stock car race with players trading paint for 90 minutes in the Alabama heat to the tune of 23 fouls and two yellow cards. The Tornadoes touched down first with a set piece headed past Caio Calado (JR/Sao Bernardo Do Campo, Sao Paulo, Brazil) for just the second goal conceded by the Eagles this season. 

Dave Chesterman (SR/Carterton, Oxfordshire, England) brought the contest level in the 65th minute floating the keeper on an attack sprung by Guilherme Mondaini (JR/Rio das Ostras, Brazil) and delivered to the English forward by Mateus Cesar (SR/Salvador, Brazil). 

Pedro Moura (JR/Garanhuns, Brazil) struck the game winner in the 70th off a cross from Chesterman who broke free on a through ball from Mondaini. 

The Eagle defense protected the lead ferociously, allowing Talladega to take just one shot over the last 20 minutes. Faulkner outshot the Tornadoes 18-5 throughout the match and allowed just one host shot (the goal) to go on frame.

The Eagles travel to Nashville to face NCAA Division I side Belmont Saturday Sept. 28 at 6 p.m.