Ricky Gardner and Robert O’Doherty scored first-half goals, and freshman goalkeeper Adam Pauley secured the lead as Mannheim defeated Hanau 2-1 in Saturday’s season-opener and Division II debut for both teams.

Pauley allowed only a penalty-kick conversion by Hanau All-European Marcus Fontanez on the Bison’s home field.

Hanau keeper Daniel Sugui did all he could to keep the Panthers in the game, making 15 saves.

Next up for Hanau is a game at Black Forest Academy, the European D-II champion on April 7. Mannheim faces another severe test on Saturday with a road game scheduled against European D-II runner-up Vilseck.

In other boys games of note on Saturday:

Aviano defeats Sigonella to stay perfect: At Aviano, Italy, Angel Santana scored twice and Steven Hudson contributed a goal and an assist as the Saints held off Sigonella 4-2 to improve to 2-0 this season.

Santana’s scores followed a goal Ricky Rodriguez that gave the Saints a 3-0 halftime lead.

Next for the Saints is a game at Naples on Saturday. Sigonella will host Vicenza.

Brussels cruises in opener at Menwith Hill: At Menwith Hill, England, Mike Hebing scored three times as Brussels opened its season with an 8-1 Division III victory.

Ryan Proietto and Matt Parker each found the net twice as Brussels took a 4-0 lead at halftime. The Brigands will continue their road swing this Friday and Saturday with conference games at Giessen and Baumholder.

Ian McIntosh, assisted by Ryan Gimmy, scored for Menwith Hill, which plays at Hohenfels on Friday and at powerful Bamberg on Saturday.

ISB shuts out host Wiesbaden: At Wiesbaden, the International School of Brussels’ defense turned a first-half goal by Emmanuel Dedouni into a game-winner to even their record at 1-1 in the league opener for both teams.

Wiesbaden (0-2, 0-1) was impenetrable the rest of the way, thanks to the defensive play of Chris Kitterman and Dan Lohmer. The Warriors play at Würzburg on April 7.

ISB is idle until an April 16 game at Würzburg.

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