CLEVELAND - Ryan Thistle and Cyrus Gulati scored in the Delta State University men's soccer team's first conference game at home as they defeated the Union College bulldogs 2-0. 

After a scoreless first half the Statesmen took over in the 67th minute. A through ball from Alfie Lally finds Ryan Thistle who puts it into the back of the net to open the scoring for the Statesmen taking a 1-0 lead.

In the 84th minute Gulati played a through ball to Colby Nesbit as he dribbled into the box and was taken down for a penalty. Gulati's first penalty attempt was saved, but his follow-up shot went into the back of the net to put away to the game giving the Statesmen a 2-0 lead. 

A backline of Nesbit, Chad Hudson, Santiago Rossi, and Micah Soper helped record a clean sheet, as Mason Baglio had 1 save in his third shutout of the season. Branden Rogers played 84 minutes in the midfield alongside Braden Taylor who played the full 90 minutes. 

The Statesmen (2-2-3, 1-1-1 GSC) will be back in action Friday (Oct. 4) when they travel to Christian Brothers University at 6:00 PM CDT in Memphis, Tenn.