Given the green light to play on game day, Brendan Douglas emerged as the difference maker for Colorado College.
   
Douglas, whose playing status was doubtful just 24 hours earlier, scored the only goal of the match on Friday as CC opened its season with a 1-0 victory over Fontbonne University at Stewart Field.
   
The game winner came on a diving header in the 15th minute of play, off a corner kick by fellow senior Jordan Reese. The Tigers, who outshot Fontbonne by a 19-8 margin overall, had plenty of other scoring opportunities but were unable to capitalize.
  
“This was a very important game to play and get a couple of our freshmen in there,” said head coach Horst Richardson. “I'm obviously pleased with the victory. I'm sorry for the guys, that they didn't score more, but you can see that there is potential.”
   
The visitors from St. Louis had a handful of scoring chances of their own, hitting the post on one occasion early in the second half and firing wide on a couple others that resulted from free kicks from just outside the box. Senior goalkeeper Brian Engle needed to make only two saves, however, in recording the shutout.
   
Ten of CC's shots, meanwhile, reached the Griffins keepers Zach Jaeger and Zach Will, with Will stopping all six he faced after relieving the injured Jaeger with 3:18 left in the first half.