BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University men's soccer team fell behind Belmont Abbey College in the first half but nearly made a comeback in the second stanza. The Tornado cut their deficit to 2-1 late in the game, and had a flurry of opportunities to net the equalizer in the final minutes, but came up short as Belmont Abbey took the contest 2-1.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Belmont Abbey 2, King 1
LOCATION: Parks Field; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 1-5-1, 0-3 Conference Carolinas; Belmont Abbey 3-4, 3-1 Conference Carolinas

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Crusaders grabbed the lead in the 20th minute on a penalty kick from Gregory Hunter.
• Ben Delisle had an opportunity for the Tornado in the 31st minute, but his shot was turned away by the Crusader goalkeeper.
• In the final minutes of the half, Dalton Gammon came up with a save, keeping the Tornado deficit at 1-0 at the half.
• In the second half, Gammon came up with four straight saves coming between the 52nd and 55th minutes.
• He made two more saves 20 minutes later, but the Crusaders broke through again in the 74th minute on a goal from Grant Retamar to take a 2-0 lead.
• King didn't go down easy as Samuel Corredor Rincon ripped a shot from 30 yards out that went over the goalkeeper to pull the Tornado within one in the 86th minute.
• In the final minute, King had three corner kicks and Charles Johnson had a shot blocked, but the Tornado couldn't net the equalizer, falling 2-1.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Gammon made nine saves in goal, matching a career-high.
• King posted 10 shots, placing three on goal while Belmont Abbey had 17 shots with 11 on frame.
• The Tornado had more corner kicks, 5-4 that Belmont Abbey.

FOR THE FOES

• Ben Knust posted two saves for Belmont Abbey.
• The goals for Gregory and Retamar were the first of the season for both.

UP NEXT

• King hosts North Greenville University on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Parks Field.
• Belmont Abbey hosts Southern Wesleyan University on Saturday.