ATLANTA - The Belhaven Men's Soccer team opened up their 2024 campaign with a statement victory on Saturday as they took down nationally ranked Emory 3-1 in what was a complete performance for the Blazers.

The win over the Eagles, the No. 20 team in the United Soccer Coaches Division III Preseason Poll, marks arguably the biggest win of Belhaven's NCAA era. The season opening victory is the highest-ranked win for the program since Belhaven joined the NCAA and the first ranked win since the Blazers took down No. 25 UT Dallas in 2015.

Belhaven put the hosts under pressure all afternoon but it was the Eagles who would strike first. After Courtland Williams beat the Emory goalkeeper in the 8th minute and saw his shot blocked by a defender, the hosts quickly countered and opened the scoring in the 9th minute.

The Blazers would equalize though, later in the opening half, as a deflected cross into the box was headed down to Devin Ryan who fired the Blazers' first goal of the season into the net. After Ryan's 37th minute goal, Belhaven would ramp up the pressure and went on to take the lead before the half. Carlos Loza slipped a pass on the edge of the box to debutant Avery Anders who drilled a low shot into the bottom corner just before the break.

Less than 10 minutes into the second half, Belhaven was able to double the advantage with a press that forced a turnover just outside the Emory 18-yard box. Koby Rhone intercepted a pass in the middle of the field and polished off the finish in 54th minute to put Belhaven up 3-1.

Shortly after Rhone's goal, Emory would see a pair of players sent off with red cards from different incidents taking the hosts to nine men for the final half hour. The Blazers comfortably saw out the match and picked up an impressive win to start the season.

It will be a quick turnaround for the Blazers who are set to face Oglethorpe tomorrow in the second game of a back-to-back. Kickoff against Oglethorpe is set for 12:00 PM.

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