MEN’S SOCCER

The HU soccer team opened up the Blue Devil Classic, hosted by Lawrence Tech, with a 4-3 loss to the University of Tennessee Southern (1-1) Friday afternoon at Blue Devils Stadium.

After finding themselves down just four minutes into the contest, the Foresters came roaring back to not only climb on top but take a rather comfortable 3-1 lead with just over 30 minutes remaining.

The equalizer came at the left foot of Zach Collins who eluded two defenders off the dribble at the 12:25 mark to force the 1-1 draw. The rest of the first half came and went without much flurry but a chance to regroup at halftime, served the Foresters well.

Alan Bernardez scored on a header off a scramble in the box five minutes into the frame and just minutes later, Pablo Garcia, in his first game of the season, launched a rocket from 30 yards out off a restart to push the lead to 3-1.

Unfortunately, Huntington was reminded that no lead is safe as the Firehawks ratcheted up the intensity to score three times in the final 30 minutes to reclaim the lead for the win.

“This was once again a day with many positives against a strong side,” said Coach Russ Lawson. “We responded very well after going down early and then got on top in the second half. We didn’t finish the game out properly and we will learn from his and press on.”

It’s HU’s first loss of the season as they drop to 3-1. Lawson’s squad is back in action Monday to face IU East at 11:00 a.m. as part of the Blue Devil Classic.