Box Score CLEVELAND, Mississippi - The Delta State University Statesmen (0-2) soccer team suffered a loss in their home opener of the season against the Lynn University Fighting Knights (2-0), the 2012 NCAA Division II National Champions.
 
The Knights had an ample amount of opportunities to go up early in the first half, but DSU keeper, Jacob Hauenstein, came through with some great saves. Late in the first half, Hauenstein couldn't come up with the save when Lynn's Oliver Powers slotted a ball across the top of the six-yard box to Kerst Lehman waiting on the far post. The score remained in Lynn's favor entering halftime.
 
Delta State came out pressing hard in the second half and it paid off. In the 79th minute, Amine Rahmani was taken down in the penalty box by a Lynn defender and was awarded a penalty kick. Team captain Daniel Deblaere stepped up to finish the penalty to tie the game at one a piece.
 
Less than a minute later another penalty was called but this time it went against DSU. The Knight's Chris Hellman netted the penalty for the go-ahead goal. Hellman netted another goal two minutes later to give Lynn the two-goal advantage, to make the score 3-1.
 
The match was physical all around and both teams were whistled for 22 fouls. Lynn held the advantage in shots with 34 and 12 on frame. DSU had a total of four shots with three on goal. Hauenstein made nine saves and his counterpart, Max Schmidt, made one. Lynn held the advantage in corners, 10-2.
 
The Statesmen look to rebound on the road against Lyon College Tuesday, Sept. 9th, at 3 p.m. in Batesville, Arkansas.