PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern men's soccer team were on a mission tonight handing previously unbeaten #23 Missouri Baptist their first loss of the season in a 4-2 victory on Thursday, September 15. 

UTS got out in front quickly when Carlos Galan mopped up a Manuel Flores shot that caromed off the crossbar. Galan's strike in the 9th minute would be his third goal of the season, and Flores would notch his sixth helper of the year. The Spartans would dispatch the troops and equalize the game in the 25th minute. MBU would take the lead in the 42nd minute taking the 2-1 advantage to the break. Both squads would each have six shots apiece.

The Firehawks ignite quickly in the latter half. Flores would bring the match all-square inside of a minute into the half from the Manuel Otero cross. With the score tied 2-2, things would get interesting. The Firehawks would have to play a man down for the final 33:30 following the issuance of a red card. UTS proceeded to outwork the visitors and would draw ahead with not one but two shorthanded goals. Miguel Tizapa would hit a streaking Alejandro Blanco to break the tie in the 64th minute. Tizapa wasn't finished, he would find a wide-open Pietari Vanska quickly moving up the near side. Vanska would blast a 32-yarder over the keeper's head to put the match away. MBU would end the match with a 14-10 shot advantage, and UTS would take shots-on-goal 6-5.

Senior keeper Ajay Murray recorded the win recording three saves on five chances. Murray would improve to 5-1 on the year. 

NEXT UP

The Firehawks will return to action opening up Mid-South Conference play by hosting Lindsey Wilson on Wednesday, September 21st. The kickoff is set for 6:30 pm. 

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