LANDON ELFSTROM (left) scored a goal in Benicia’s 2-0 victory over Wood on Wednesday.

Benicia High’s boys varsity soccer team earned its first victory of the season on Wednesday with a 2-0 shutout of host Wood in Vacaville.

Landon Elfstrom and Imani McNorton each scored for the Panthers (1-1), who lost their season opener to Napa, 5-0, the day before.

“We played a lot better than we did on Tuesday,” said Benicia head coach Javier Martinez after the win. “But league starts next week and we still need to communicate better than we have been.”

Elfstrom notched Benicia’s first goal of the season 23 minutes into the first half when his 25-yard shot got caught in the wind and sailed over the head of Wood’s goalkeeper. McNorton made it 2-0 five minutes into the second half when he came up from his center defensive position and knocked in a corner kick by Matthew Padua.

“Defenders use their heads a lot and are more likely to head a ball into the net, so I like to send them up on corner kicks,” Martinez said. “He was there for the deflection.”

Wood (0-2-1) didn’t pose much of a threat to Benicia’s defense, which recorded its first shutout of the season. Michael O’Leary played goalkeeper in the first half and made a spectacular save. Tyrell Cabrigas played a flawless second half in net.

The Panthers open Solano County Athletic Conference play at home on Wednesday night against defending co-champion American Canyon.

“Our goal is to win the league and make the playoffs this year, and it all starts Wednesday against American Canyon,” Martinez said.

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