MOUNT VERNON, Ga. - The Barons Men's Soccer continued their campaign, taking on the number one team in the nation, the Dalton State Roadrunners. The Barons managed to hang in there defensively for the first half, going into the break only down one. The Barons played strong defensively but still gave up two goals in the second half, but they did score late to end the game three-one. 

Coach Bob Neuman shared his thoughts on their tough loss: "It's difficult to start playing as a team finally, and it's so close to the end of the season. The guys have found a better level in the last two matches, and we're hoping to carry that on in our final match of the season. 

We had a couple of opportunities today that, with a different decision or two, could have netted us some vital goals. But credit has to go to Dalton for finding the goal in the important moments. 

We are looking forward to some rest tonight and tomorrow before we have to compete against Life University,"

First Half

The Barons played a very defensively sound style for the entire game and focused on staying in their defensive shape, forcing Dalton State to make their scoring chances. They managed to keep them outside the box, get them toward the edges of the field, and push together as a unit, creating some scoring chances of their own. The Baron's only goal was given up off of a set piece after a foul, and there was very little the keeper Andrea Abwe could have done with a beautiful shot to the top left corner that gave him no chance as the Dalton State player bent the ball over the wall to start the match's scoring. The Barons rallied and got several more scoring chances but could not get anything past the keeper and had to settle going into half down one. 

Second half

In the second half, the Barons tried to do the same thing, but a corner kick in the 62nd minute allowed the Roadrunners to get their second goal off a brilliant set piece that resulted in a screaming kick by Antonio Bittencourt that could not be stopped. The Barons continued to play their strong defense until a communication breakdown turned into a two-on-oh-scoring chance for Dalton that they didn't waste after Dalton beat Andrea and passed to his open team, who had an open net. Francisco Martins managed to take a ball from the midfield, dribble all the way down the field, and slip one past the keeper in the 86th minute, but by then, there was little the Barons could do. 

Stats

• The Barons trailed in shots 17-2.

• The Barons trailed in corner kicks nine to nothing. 

• The Knights led in fouls 12-6.

• The Barons led in saves five-one. 

• The Roadrunners had the only yellow card. 

Next Up

The Barons will look to win their last match of the year on Monday against Life University. 

-30-