DELAND, Fla. - Battling the elements at the Athletic Training Center on Friday night, the Stetson Hatters men's soccer team fell to the Georgia Southern Eagles 2-1. After a lengthy weather delay that lasted an hour and thirty minutes, the Eagles scored in the 72nd minute to knock Stetson down to a 1-3 record on the season.

It was the first loss at the ATC for the Hatters this season after finishing the 2023 season with a home record of 5-2-2, second best in the ASUN. 

Georgia Southern struck first with a goal in the 16th minute, taking a 1-0 lead, which they would hold for the rest of the opening half. Despite trailing, the Hatters outshot the Eagles 7-4 in the first half.

That's when Mother Nature intervened and sent the teams back to the locker room right as the second half was set to begin. After patiently waiting, the teams retook the pitch for resumption at 10 PM. Not much longer after the game resumed, they Hatters found the back of the net.

The Hatters responded to tie the game on a goal from in the 56th minute after a crossing pass into a crowded box led to a Georgia Southern own goal, with Maurice Hauser as the pressuring Hatter in the vicinity. 

The Eagles then went up 2-1 after a penalty goal in the 72nd minute. The score would remain untouched as the Hatters fell to 1-3 on the season.

Although they lost, Stetson had a 10-2 advantage on corner kicks and outshot the Eagles 14-8, with both teams taking four on goal. The Hatters also won the battle of possession, holding control for 64% of the match. Charles Ahl led Stetson with four attempted shots in the loss while Ahl, Andre Casas, Andres Rodriguez and Giuseppe Croce all played a full 90 minutes.

Nicolo Radaelli defended the net for the Hatters, facing eight total shots while making two saves.

Stetson continues their homestand on Monday afternoon as they host the UAB Blazers at the Athletic Training Center with a start time of 11:00 AM. The game will not be televised by admission is free to all fans.