The Graceland Yellowjackets stung the Lions soccer team in its first game of the season.

While Adam Skiermont, senior forward, scored the first goal of the game, it was not enough to give Southern the win.

The Yellowjackets came back in the second half, scoring two goals and securing their win.

Kiley Cirillo, head men’s soccer coach, blames the loss not on the abilities of the team, but rather on the effort the team put forth, “first game jitters” and self-discipline.

“I’m more disappointed with the quality of effort,” he said.

Jared Smith, senior defender, attributes the loss to the mental effort of the team

“Our effort was there, and we played hard, but we just didn’t put together 90 minutes,” he said.

Skiermont also claims the switching of people’s positions as a part of the loss. He said players were put in positions they had not played before and therefore did not know what to do. He believes they will do better “once we get the pieces to the puzzle put together.”

As for the rest of the season, Cirillo said he is optimistic about how the team will play.

“They’re only going to get better,” he said. “I’m happy with the progression. It’s going to take a little more effort and what we do as a team”

Even though they started out the season with a loss, Cirillo believes they will learn from the game and do better.

“I think they learned a valuable lesson today,” he said.

Smith said the team’s goal is to make it to the NCAA playoffs. He said, though, to accomplish the goal, the team will basically have to win every game for the rest of the season. He also believes the team will do better from now on.

“We have a lot of talent,” he said. “We’re starting out the season, and we’re a little rusty right now.”

The men’s soccer team will play next at 7 p.m. Friday in Tampa, Fla.