CLEVELAND, Miss. – St. Edward's men's soccer generated multiple shots on goal in the second half but couldn't find the back of the net in a 1-0 loss at Delta State in its season opener. 
 
In the first half, the Hilltoppers and Statesmen played on near-even terms, splitting possession time and creating four shots each. 
 
TODD FULLER went low on the game's first shot attempt nearly two minutes in but was stopped by Delta State keeper Mason Baglio. HUNTER MERRITT got the Hilltoppers' second shot under 15 minutes in but pushed it right. 
 
St. Edward's goalie, JACOB MADDEN, made his Hilltopper debut and had two first-half saves to keep the game scoreless. JETHRO VOURJOLO got free for two shots in the final minutes of the break but missed both right. 
 
The Hilltoppers controlled the action for most of the second half, earning three corner kicks, two Delta State yellow cars, and shots on goal from ARTHUR SOUZA and VICENTE ALVAREZ. Baglio stopped Alvarez's attempt nearly 76 minutes into the game, and Delta State found the back of the net two minutes later when Chad Hudson found Veborn Oen for the game's lone goal. 
 
St. Edward's battled back with four shots and two corner kicks over the final 11 minutes. Irvan Abarca went up top but was shut down by Baglio. Vourjolo and DONOVAN EERKES-MCCARTHY missed off back-to-back corners, and Baglio saved Vourjolo's final attempt with less than two minutes remaining. The Delta State keeper had five saves. 
 
The Hilltoppers will remain in Mississippi and play Mississippi College at noon on Saturday at Robert P. Longabaugh Field.