Box Score By Chris Brown
TACOMA, Wash. – The University of Puget Sound men's soccer team suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of the Hardin-Simmons Cowboys, 1-0, at East Field Friday afternoon.
Puget Sound thought they had leveled the match after knocking home a rebound, however, it was just after the final horn had sounded and the head referee waived off the goal, leaving the Loggers stunned.
After a hotly contest first half, both squads went into the locker room scoreless. Then in the 52nd minute, Hardin-Simmons' midfielder Kevin McNeal broke the tie when he one-timed a Tanner Coffin cross.
After the match's lone goal, each teams' intensity level raised. Three yellow cards were issued to Hardin-Simmons in just under a two-minute span and the match saw a total of 32 fouls called.
Puget Sound created quality opportunities in the second half but just could not find the back of the net. The Loggers out-shot the Cowboys 12-8 and peppered Hardin-Simmons goalkeepers with six shots on goal, including four in the second half.
Midfielder Carson Swope led the Logger attack with two shots on goal and three shots overall. Goalkeeper Nathan King played the full 90 minutes in net, making two saves and allowing one goal.
The loss dropped Puget Sound to 1-3-0 on the young season while Hardin-Simmons improved to 1-3-0. The Loggers host Southwestern on Sep. 14 before opening Northwest Conference play at Pacific (Ore.) on Sep. 21.
