DALLAS, TX – Hartwick men's soccer played a spirited second half of play but couldn't dig its way out of a 2-0 hole early in the second session in a 2-1 defeat to the host school at the Southern Methodist University Tournament in Dallas, TX.

Junior Jhevaughn Beckford (Kingston, Jamaica/Wolmer's Boys' HS) scored for Hartwick off a rebound with Tim Crawford (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas) assisting roughly ten minutes after SMU's second goal early in the second half to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Hartwick (0-3-2) had chances in the second session and outshot the Mustangs 7-6 in the half, but couldn't find the equalizer.

The Mustangs held much of the possession for the first half, but the Hawks' defense kept them at bay, allowing only one real scoring chance in the opening 30 minutes. Juan Castillo made his way into the 'Wick box and rifled a low shot to Hartwick keeper Mateo Munarriz' (Manizales, Colombia/Colegio Granadino) left but it skimmed wide of the post in the 25^th minute.

SMU broke through in the 32^nd minute. Andrew Morales hit a shot from the 18 after a cross from Deshawon Nembhard. The shot took a deflection off a Hartwick defender which redirected past Munarriz for the 1-0 lead.

The second half did not start well for Hartwick as the Mustangs added a second goal after just five and a half minutes. A short corner from Marco Carrizales was passed across the top of the Hartwick box. Nembhard hit a shot as the Hawk defense was exiting the box and a back heel from Alfred Koroma beat Munarriz to the far post to extend the hosts' advantage.

Despite the two-goal deficit, the Hawks responded in force attacking the Mustang goal. Eight minutes, 50 seconds after SMU's second goal, Beckford followed up a rebound from Crawford for his first goal of the season to cut the margin in half (Link)

In the 66^th minute, the Hawks nearly drew even as back Jamie O'Grady (Falkirk, Scotland/Falkirk) hit a shot from 30 yards off the crossbar. The ball bounced straight down and appeared to cross the line but play continued (Link).

Just over six minutes later, Beckford had another chance to even the score line. Following a corner, O'Grady won a header on the far post that dropped in front for Beckford, but his shot from in tight was pushed over the bar (Link).

With just under eight minutes on the clock, a Beckford header almost evened the match once again. He beat goalkeeper Jaime Ibarra to the ball in the box after a Hartwick free kick but his powerful header screamed just over the bar (Link).

The Mustangs maintained possession over the final seven and a half minutes, not allowing Hartwick another chance on goal to escape with the 2-1 win.

SMU (1-4) held an 11-7 edge in shots for the match. Munarriz finished with two stops in goal. Ibarra also made two saves for the Mustangs.

The Hawks will return to the pitch on Sunday against #13 Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane tied UMKC 1-1 in the tournament opener. Game time will be 12 p.m. (CST).