Box Score
JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven Women's Soccer squad returned home after a long road trip, but fell to visiting Delta State 2-1 under the lights Tuesday night. The Blazers trailed at halftime, but tied the game with 18 minutes remaining in the contest before allowing a second goal with only a few minutes left on the clock.

The game started out fast with both teams having a golden scoring opportunity within the first five minutes, but each keeper made a key save early.

However the Lady Statesmen of Delta State kept the pressure on the Blazers defense, keeping the ball on their side of the field for much of the first ten minutes of play. The relentless offensive attack finally paid off in the 11^th minute after the Lady Statesmen were able to force a corner off of a Nicole Walsh save. A missed assignment off of the corner allowed Erin Tucker to sneak in behind the defense and put the ball in directly off of the kick taken by Ashley Goodlett.

The Blazers weren't to be deterred by the early deficit as they bombarded the Delta State defense with ten shots in the first half. The best opportunity of the first half came on a breakaway strike by Rebecca Ontero. After receiving a through ball from Laura Quintero, Ontero split the defenders into the 18-yard box releasing a furious shot towards the upper right hand corner of the goal. Delta State keeper Kelsey Elling tipped the ball just enough so that it ricocheted of the goal post and rolled down the goal line, away from the net. The impressive save was one of twelve on the night for Elling.

Much of the second half was played in the middle third of the field with each team attempting to make a run off of set plays. Neither team was successful until the 72^nd minute.

Following a clear from the Delta State defense, defender Chelsea Smith was able to gather the ball around midfield. She pushed the ball up to midfielder Loredana Bono who found fellow freshman Ashley Harber streaking down the field. Harber was able to gather the pass from Bono and strike the ball across her body into the left corner of the net.

The goal was the first of Harber's short Belhaven career and the first goal scored by the team since the season opener. There was a noticeable fire in the eyes of the Belhaven players following the goal.

Quickly after Harber's goal, the Blazers defense organized another opportunity when Laura Quintero lofted a ball over the last defense and connected with Jantzen Oliver. Oliver weaved her way through the defense, but was met by Elling as she was about to strike the ball, ending the Blazer threat.

Delta State got the ball back up to their midfield who were able get past the Belhaven defense down the sideline. A centered ball left the defense exposed and forced Walsh off of her assignment in goal. Walsh initially made the save on the pass, but the ball bounced out of her grasp into the feet of Delta State forward Charlotte Benson. Benson scored easily with no one to defend the net for an unassisted goal.

The Blazers were unable to answer for the equalizer despite keeping the ball in the Lady Statesmen's side of the field for much of the last ten minutes.

Belhaven continues their home stand on Saturday morning against Northwood College (TX) at 11 a.m.