COLUMBUS, Miss. – A strong second half by The W men's soccer team was not enough, as it dropped a 4-2 non-conference decision in its home opener versus Freed-Hardeman University at the Roger Short Soccer Complex. The Owls fell to 1-4-0, while the Lions remained unbeaten at 6-0-0.
 
The first 45 minutes, however, proved to be forgettable for MUW. FHU would tally four unanswered goals in the 6th, 11th, 22nd, and 42nd minutes to carry a 4-0 advantage into the break. The Lions outshot the Owls by a 13-4 count in the opening stanza, as well.
 
The W came out of halftime and turned the tables, outshooting the visitors by a 10-5 margin and blanking the Lions on the scoreboard.  Meanwhile, MUW's offense finally broke through at the 71:36 mark when newcomer Justin Nazariaga punched in his first goal of the season.
 
Less than three minutes later, at 74:00, Luke Bradley sent a ball toward the box and teammate Kyle Morris settled the pass and blasted it into the net for his team-leading sixth goal of 2025, cutting the deficit to 4-2.
 
Unfortunately, MUW was unable to add to its total, as the score stood until the final horn.
 
For the match, FHU outshot The W by a 17-15 total and 9-to-8 for shots on goal. Bradley put all three of his attempts directly on frame, as did Nazariega with his two tries.
 
MUW goalkeeper Cortland Earl had five saves on the evening.
 
The W will next host LaGrange College at home on Sunday (Sept. 14) at 3 p.m. at the Short Soccer Complex.