Box Score
CLEVELAND - The Statesmen could not overcome several early cards and calls, including a sendoff in the first 20 minutes of a 5-3 loss to Union Friday afternoon at Delta Field.

After just three and a half minutes of the Gulf South Conference match, the Statesmen held a 1-0 lead when Michael Boulanger finessed home a perfect ball off a corner from Daniel Deblaere. The goal was the first of Boulanger's young career as a Statesmen and extended Deblaere's point streak to seven games.

The matched turned south for the Statesmen just minutes later. After an apparent handball in the Union penalty box in the seventh minute was left to play, the Bulldogs took full advantage with a counter attack, scoring less than a minute late with a goal from Guilherme Reis.

In the next 10 minutes of the match, the Statesmen were given three cards, including a red to Caue Da Silva, putting Delta State down to 10 men less than 20 minutes into the match.

Union's Clayton Martin added a goal, putting the Bulldogs up 2-1 to add to the turn of fortune.

In the 32nd minute, Jaxon Lambert mad a great individual effort to fake out Union's goalkeeper, while being marked by a Bulldog defender, and tie the game at two. Deblaere and Steven Simmons picked up assists on the play.

Just before the half, Union took advantage of Statesmen mistakes and scored to go up 3-2 into the halftime break.

10 minutes out of the halftime break, Union struck again, going up 4-2. Shortly after falling back 4-2, the Statesmen were issued three more yellow cards in the match in under 12 minutes.

The Statesmen were able to overcome the cards and being down a man ,and Deblaere made it a career game, as the Sydney, Australia native scored to bring the game to 4-3 in the 73rd minute. The goal put Deblaere at a career-high four points in a game with the tally an pair of helpers.

Union's Chip Crockarell was then issued a yellow card for laying on the ball in the goal and taking it in his hands and running away to delay the game.

The Statesmen had a few more chances in the match, but were unable to sustain any pressure with only 10 men on the field.

In the last minute of the game, Union scored once more to go up 5-3 and secure the victory.

The Statesmen will be off until they host Harding Tuesday at Delta Field in a double header with the Lady Statesmen. The Statesmen's match is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.