Box Score JACKSON, Mississippi – The Lady Statesmen soccer team of Delta State University opened up the 2014 season against the Blazers of Belhaven University. DSU dropped the match to BU 2-1 to fall to 0-1-0 on the season, while Belhaven improved to 2-1-0 on the season.
 
Neither team was able to dent the scoreboard in the first half, but Delta State looked strong in its efforts, holding the advantage over Belhaven in shots and shots on goal.
 
The Blazers got the scoring started in the 62^nd minute of play when Ashley Harber scored to put the score at 1-0.
 
The Green-and-White came back fighting over 10 minutes later in the 74^th minute of the contest. Kayla Kazanowski found Erin Tucker on the far right wing who then placed a shot in the back of the net.
 
With the score deadlocked at one all with less than fifteen minutes to play, Belhaven did not go down without a fight. BU's Dani Craft sealed the win with a shot from the top of the box off of a free kick following a red card given to DSU.
 
Tais Cotta came close to the equalizer in the remaining thirty seconds of the match but came up short when goalkeeper Nicole Walsh saved the shot and the game, notching the final score at 2-1 in favor of Belhaven.
 
Although the score was not in Delta State's favor, the Lady Statesmen did take the advantage in shots 18-12 and tied the Blazers in shots on goal with each team placing seven shots on frame.
 
Head coach Paul Babba saw a lot of things the team needed to work on in the first game of the season. "We dominated most of the game but made a few errors that Belhaven capitalized on. This game showed us where we are right now, and I can tell we are already improved from last year's squad. We are a more balanced team, and we are happy to see that."

DSU will be back on the pitch Wednesday, Sept. 10 against Louisiana College. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. in Pineville, Louisiana. This marks the start of a two-game stretch in Louisiana for Delta State.