LEBANON, Tenn. – Despite trailing for much of the first half, the Martin Methodist Men's Soccer team rallied for a 2-1 victory at Cumberland University Tuesday afternoon.

After surrendering a goal in the match's 13th minute, the RedHawks found themselves trailing early in their first official road contest of the season.

The RedHawks would pull even just before halftime, however, when Niklas Larsson sent a low-lying shot just beyond the outstretched arms of Bulldogs goalkeeper Sully Shattuck. Jermaine Steele was credited with the assist after playing a ball to Larsson just beyond the box.

The goal capped off a first half that saw the RedHawks nearly trailing despite outshooting the Bulldogs 12-3.

"We weren't happy to go down a goal," RedHawks head coach Gerry Cleary said. "Our defenders made a mistake and got punished but they didn't make a mistake after that. We subbed in Larsson and he stepped up and put one away for us."

In the second half, the RedHawks took advantage of a shaky Bulldogs clearance to grab their first lead of the match.

After Sam Dowson's pass to Amaury Barritault was nearly flagged for a Bulldogs handball, Barritault took possession and slotted a pass to Jonathan Cabale, who fired a cracking shot that ricocheted off the left post and into the back of the net for the game winner.

"We told (Cabale) to get in and around the box because he is really good at shooting," Cleary said. "He put himself in that position and (Barritault) gave him the ball. After that, he did what does best – put the ball in the goal."

Over the next 30 minutes, the RedHawks would fire several more chances, but ultimately hang on to preserve their second one-goal victory of the young season.

Stephen Lunney, the reigning TranSouth Defensive Player of the Week, stopped 5-of-6 shots on goal to pick up the victory in net for the RedHawks (3-1-0).

Shattuck stopped 6-of-8 shots in the loss for the Bulldogs (1-2-0).

"This was a quality win for us," Cleary said. "We'd be a bit happier if we could clean some things up and keep some clean sheets. But as long as we're winning, we'll keep going."

The RedHawks will wrap up their two-match road swing Saturday when they travel to Campbellsville, Ky. to take on Campbellsville University. Kickoff is set for 2PM.