MARSHALL, Texas — In a tightly contested American Southwest Conference men's soccer matchup at Cornish Field, East Texas Baptist University saw a second-half lead slip away, falling 3-2, to Hardin-Simmons University on Friday night. ETBU is now 8-7-1 and 1-2-1 in the ASC.
 
ETBU took seven shots in the match with four on goal scoring two. Hardin-Simmons had a balanced attack with 14 shots, 12 on goal scoring three, with six in the first half and eight in the second half. The match also had its share of physical play, with 24 combined fouls.
 
Junior Lopez took two shots with one on goal to lead the team. Jacob Wenzel and Aiden Fortenberry scored with their only shot on goal. Joshua Weston collected nine saves in goal for the Tigers.
 
Hardin-Simmons opened the scoring early when they converted a penalty kick for the 1-0 lead. ETBU responded in the 33rd minute when Wenzel found the back of the net, assisted by Jared Zuniga. The Tigers continued to press and took the lead before halftime on a header from Aiden Fortenberry, assisted by Zuniga making it 2-1 in the 43^rd minute.
 
The Cowboys capitalized on second-half momentum, scoring two unanswered goals in the 70^th and 76^th minutes for the win. Lucas Arreguin and Brenden Gajewski had late opportunities, including a potential game-tying chance in the 80th minute but both failed to be shots on goal as HSU took the win, 3-2.
 
ETBU continues ASC play on the road next Saturday, traveling to Belton, Texas, to face the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.