MONTEVALLO - The Montevallo men's soccer team battled for a 2-0 win over Delta State to kick off the 2021 Gulf South Conference slate. With the win the Falcons advance to 4-0-1 with the Statesmen falling to 2-2-1 for the season.

"I'm very proud of the bend but don't break effort from the team tonight," said head coach Bruce Dietterle.  "Delta State is a tough and dangerous team and we knew it would take all we had.  I think the effort in the end was the deciding factor for us.  We were a little bit better on the front side attacking wise, and we were fortunate to have some lucky bounces that went our way."

In a scrappy opening 10 minutes, it was Delta State that registered the game's first strong scoring chances. Delta State's Remi Emeriau created an opportunity near the left side of the box for the Statesmen and fired a shot that forced senior goalie Salvador Plaza  to make a key save in the fourth minute.  Plaza was tested two additional times by the time the tenth minute passed, and was able to maintain the integrity of the Falcon net.

The Falcons found the net before the end of the first half after Narcis Bou Dalmau played a ball for Julio Rojo who converted a goal in the 32nd minute.

Montevallo added another goal after Edorta Cabieces Sanz booted a penalty kick in the back of the Statesman net.

The Falcons out shot Delta State 14-11 fo rthe game, with the Statesmen holding a 7-0 edge in corner kicks.  Salvador Plaza was in goal for the Montevallo shutout, making seven saves in the game.

UP NEXT:  The Falcons will be back in action on Sunday, September 19th in a GSC match up against Mississippi College