LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Hesston College men’s soccer team saw its postseason run come to a hard-fought close with a 2–1 loss to Florida National University on Friday evening at the Grizzly Soccer Complex. The Continental Athletic Conference quarterfinal matchup featured a tightly contested defensive battle in the first half with all scoring unfolding in the final 30 minutes of play.
Hesston goalkeeper Harry Morris kept the Larks level through the opening 45 minutes, turning away four first-half shots and finishing the match with seven total saves. Despite Florida National controlling much of the early possession and earning multiple set-piece opportunities, the Hesston back line absorbed pressure and entered halftime in a scoreless tie.
Florida National broke through in the 61st minute on a finish from Filipe Ribeiro. The Larks responded with composure, building a patient attack that led to the equalizer in the 78th minute. Alexander Radu found the net for his eighth goal of the season, finishing a well-placed pass from Yura Yamazaki to even the score at 1–1.
The match’s deciding moment came shortly afterward in the 83rd minute, when Florida National converted the go-ahead goal from the right side of the penalty area. Hesston continued to push forward in search of a second equalizer but was unable to break through in the final minutes.
Florida National finished the match with a 15–3 shot advantage, while Hesston recorded two shots on goal and earned a pair of corners. Radu, Yamazaki, and forward Santi Llanos led the attacking efforts, and Morris anchored the defense with another strong performance in goal.
The Larks conclude the season with an 11–7–1 record, marking a successful campaign in their first year of competition within the NAIA and the Continental Athletic Conference.
