A slow start to the season hasn't been unusual for the Charlotte Eagles over the years.

But after going winless in their first five games, this year's version of the Eagles may finally be finding the mark. The latest step forward was a 2-0 USLPro League victory over Antigua Barracuda FC on Friday night in front of 963 fans at Charlotte Christian School.

The second straight victory of the season for the Eagles (2-4-1, 7 points) was notable for the team's two best goals of the season - from midfielders Darren Toby and Alan Sanchez - and the first shutout that resulted in a win.

"They (Barracuda) didn't put us under a lot of pressure tonight, so it's hard to say for sure we're on track," Eagles coach Mark Steffens said. "We probably played a little better in the game against Los Angeles (a 2-1 road victory last week), but it was a shutout and our two goals were great goals."

The first came 17 minutes into the match and set the tone for the rest of the night. Mark Bloom chased a ball down the right sideline and put a cross right on the head of Toby, who punched it past Barracuda keeper Keita DeCastro from about 10 yards out for a 1-0 lead.

"We came out with a lot of energy and that early goal was big," Steffens said. "They had to chase the game, which is something we've been doing a lot of so far. But we held possession and had things our way."

The visitors from the tiny Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda didn't present much in the way of an offensive challenge, firing only one shot in each half at Eagles goalkeeper Eric Reed. He got his second shutout of the season.

"This is a team that had gone about 500 minutes without allowing a goal before their last game, and they're big and fast," Steffens said of the Barracuda (6-4, 18 points).

Charlotte's second goal, in the 66th minute, was spectacular. Defender Brady Bryant played a ball to Sanchez about 30 yards from the goal. The former N.C. State standout played it on the volley and sent a strike over the goalkeeper's head into the top left corner of the net.

"That goal came from our high pressure," Steffens said. "We didn't just sit back after we got the lead."

Charlotte held a 9-2 shot advantage for the game.

NOTES: The Eagles play their next two games at Dayton and Orlando before returning home against the Wilmington Hammerheads on June 11 at Charlotte Christian.