HESSTON, Kan. — The Hesston College men’s soccer team suffered its first loss of the season Sunday afternoon, falling 3-1 to Mount Marty University. The loss moved the Larks to 5-1-1 on the season.
Hesston struck first less than five minutes into the match. Saul Pineda found the back of the net at the 4:42 mark off an assist from Alexander Radu, giving the Larks an early 1-0 advantage.
The Larks continued to create opportunities following the opening goal. Jaiden Trevelyan and Paul Torres each forced saves from Mount Marty goalkeeper Esteban Gomez, while Radu had an attempt blocked. Mount Marty found the equalizer in the 19th minute when James Starkey converted a penalty kick to make it 1-1.
Hesston kept the pressure on later in the half, with Pineda and Michihiro Koga each putting shots on goal. Mount Marty broke the tie just before halftime when Jamie Hope scored off an assist from James Hughes in the 43rd minute, sending the Lancers into the break with a 2-1 lead. Hesston held a 7-4 advantage in shots during the opening 45 minutes.
Mount Marty generated more of the pressure in the second half. Luis Jimenez, who took over in goal for Hesston at halftime, made an early save before the Lancers threatened several more times. Findlay Green hit the post in the 66th minute, and Rylan Eide scored less than a minute later off an assist from Jack D’Amore to extend the Mount Marty lead to 3-1.
The Larks continued looking for a way back into the match. Abel Aguado had an attempt blocked in the 76th minute, Trevelyan sent a shot high and Radu put a shot on goal in the 80th minute, but Hesston was unable to cut into the deficit.
Hesston finished with 12 shots, including six on goal, while Mount Marty recorded 17 shots and 10 on target. Radu led the Larks with three shots and an assist, while Pineda finished with two shots on goal and Hesston’s lone goal. Trevelyan and Aguado each added two shots.
Harry Morris and Jimenez each played 45 minutes in goal. Jimenez made six saves in the second half, while Morris recorded one in the opening half.
The Larks will look to bounce back Wednesday, Sept. 16 when they travel to McPherson, Kan., to face Central Christian College at 7:30 p.m.
