Box Score HARROGATE, Tenn. – After falling behind by a pair of goals early, the University of Alabama in Huntsville men's soccer team made a strong push but ultimately fell just short in the season opener on Saturday as the squad dropped a 2-1 decision to Lincoln Memorial.
 
The Chargers start the season at 0-1 while LMU starts at 1-0.
 
Lincoln Memorial's two goals came early – and quick – as Chris Nash scored in the 18th minute and Diego Deschamp struck in the 19th to produce the 2-0 advantage for the Railsplitters.
 
UAH applied some solid pressure towards the end of the first half, but ultimately were unable to tally leading to a 2-0 score at the half.
 
The first half could have gone completely different as UAH nearly received a penalty kick, but the foul was ruled to occur just outside of the box and the Chargers were unable to produce much on the ensuing free kick.
 
Before the Blue and White's big push in the second half, keeper Kel Markert made sure that the deficit would not grow as he made five of his seven saves in the period including two impressive stops.
 
Not going down without a fight, the Chargers pushed hard and the local connection of Mitch Wilson and Kyle Simmons picked up exactly where the pair left off a season ago. Wilson streaked down the left side and found Simmons who was to the left of the keeper, allowing the striker to boot it past the LMU keeper to pull UAH within one in the 83rd minute.
 
Time was not on UAH's side, however, and the Chargers fell by the 2-1 final.
 
Looking to bounce back, the Chargers will open up the home slate on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the new Charger Park.