FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – The University of Montevallo men’s soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision against visiting Lincoln Memorial University in a non-conference battle Sept. 8 at Varsity Field.

The starting 11 players played all 90 minutes for the Falcons in a test of endurance and conditioning.

“I was impressed and proud of how we played for each other,” said Montevallo coach Ken Hassler. “We played with tremendous skill and great intelligence. We showed what it means to be part of an exceptional team.”

The Railsplitters netted an early goal in the 13^th minute when Mario Pinto intercepted a pass from Shane Howard to Brendan Ledgeway and fired a shot past the Falcons’ goalkeeper to give Lincoln Memorial an early 1-0 lead.

The Falcons dominated possession in the second half against their former Gulf South Conference rival. Montevallo nearly netted the equalizer in the final 10 seconds when a shot by Ledgeway bounced off the crossbar and a rebound attempt by Howard was blocked by the Lincoln Memorial defense in the final seconds.

Montevallo attempted twice as many shots as the Railsplitters, 14-7, but couldn’t tie the match in four shots on goal.

Ledgeway finished with two saves in the match.

“We dominated play late in the game,” Hassler said. “The deeper it got, the stronger we were.”