Lexington, Ky. - The Transylvania men's soccer team used a strong second half to come away with a 2-0 victory over the Manchester University Spartans on Saturday afternoon at Pat Deacon Stadium.

Transylvania improved its record on the young season to 2-0 while the Spartans fell to 1-1.

The Pioneers spent the first half asserting its imprint on the match, mustering six total shots in the first 45 minutes to four for Manchester. In the 27^th minute, Mitchell Crispin's header went wide and the Pioneers won a corner kick a minute later to mount pressure against the Spartans. Despite the increasing opportunities, the teams went to the locker room with the match level at 0-0.

After a scoreless first half, Transylvania's increased aggression was eventually rewarded. In the 55^th minute, Zach Hill took aim at the net, and had his shot saved. Alec Coomes tried to pounce on the ricochet, which was also blocked. The ensuing deflection landed in front of Hill, who reared back and broke the stalemate in the 55^th minute with the first goal of the afternoon.

Following Hill's first goal of the season, the Pioneers immediately seized possession of the ball on the next kickoff. Jak Birdsong took control of the ball and drove all the way down the Spartan's side of the field where he was tripped by a defender in the box.

Birdsong was awarded a penalty kick, and tricked the goalkeeper with a shot to the right corner for his first goal of the season and a sudden 2-0 Pioneer lead.

The second half intensity continued to ramp up as 12 fouls were called in the second half compared to eight in the first half.

The Pioneers defense stood up to the Manchester challenge over the final half hour as the Spartans could only summon one shot on goal for the afternoon. Transylvania finished the match with seven corner kicks earned, six of which came in the second half.

Transylvania outshot the Spartans 17-6 on the day.

The Pioneers return to the pitch on Wednesday, March 10 against Hanover College. The match between the Pioneers and the Panthers is set for 7:00 p.m. at Pat Deacon Stadium.

For more on Transylvania men's soccer, follow @TransyMSoccer on Twitter