CLEVELAND - The Delta State University men's soccer team used two second half goals and a stifling defense Tuesday to defeat the Comets of Crichton College 3-1 at Delta Field.  The victory moves the Statesmen to 7-2-1 on the season, while the Comets fell to 3-3.  DSU is just two wins away from tying the school record for victories in a season with eight games remaining on the schedule.

"We had a solid performance today, but we missed some opportunities out there," said Jim Allen, DSU head coach.  "I was pleased with our effort throughout, but we left some goals off the board that should have been there."

The Statesmen took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a 20-yard blast from Daniel Junkin off the right side in the 29th minute.  DSU would go up 2-0 on a David Smith special, his ninth of the year in the 66th minute of the second half.  The scoring came to a close for the green-and-white, as David Horstmann found the back of the net for his sixth goal of the year in the 71st minute.  

The Comets scored their lone goal in the 89th minute of the match, as Matt Long nailed a blast from 35-yards out.  

Trey Jones and Kelly Cole split the game in goal for the Statesmen.  Jones did not face a shot during the first half, while Cole allowed one goal with five saves in the second.  Cole recorded the win.  

Ben Greer took the loss for the Comets after allowing three goals with six saves.  

The Statesmen return to action Saturday versus Belhaven College.  Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Delta Field.