NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Delta State University men's soccer team fell 3-1 to (RV) Trevecca Nazarene on Saturday afternoon at the Trojan Soccer Complex. The Trojans controlled much of the match offensively, outshooting the Statesmen 22-8 and holding a 60%-40% possession advantage.
Trevecca opened the scoring in the 19th minute when Daniel Shiel converted a penalty kick to give the Trojans a 1-0 lead. Shiel struck again just over two minutes later, scoring off assists from Chris Douglas and Judah Jones to extend the advantage to 2-0.
Delta State responded in the 33rd minute when
Callum Black converted a penalty kick with his first goal of the year, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The Statesmen carried that momentum into halftime, but Trevecca maintained its advantage heading into the second half.
The Statesmen created several opportunities early in the second half, including shots on goal from
Sioni Benham and
Tazjean Bird, but Trevecca goalkeeper Hunter Walker turned them away. Delta State goalkeeper
Daniel Santema also kept the Statesmen within striking distance, finishing with nine saves.
Trevecca added an insurance goal in the 79th minute when Shiel completed his hat trick, scoring off an assist from Haden Brown to make it 3-1. Just moments earlier, Delta State was reduced to 10 players when
Tazjean Bird received a red card for unsporting behavior in the 79th minute.
Despite trailing late, Delta State continued to push forward, earning a corner kick in the 89th minute, but the Statesmen were unable to find another goal before the final whistle.
Shiel led Trevecca with three goals, while Black scored Delta State's lone goal. The Trojans finished with 12 shots on target compared to six for the Statesmen, with Santema making nine saves for Delta State and Walker making five for Trevecca.
The loss moved Delta State to 2-8-1 overall and 0-5-0 in conference play, while Trevecca improved to 8-1-2 overall and 3-1-2 in conference action.
The Statesmen are back in action this Wednesday night as they travel to Memphis, to take on the Bucs from Christian Brothers University.
