MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Embry-Riddle men's soccer team got off to a fast start in its season opener, but were unable to sustain an early one-goal lead against Delta State as the Statesmen scored twice in the first half and three times in the second to top the Eagles 5-1.
 
The contest, which was played on the campus of Christian Brothers University, saw sophomore transfer Shane Butler give the Eagles a 1-0 lead just 1:53 into the first half. Butler got in behind the defense and ran onto a ball played out the back by Ross Dickinson, then rifled a shot from 25 yards out past DSU goalkeeper Harvey Stevens to the give the Blue and Gold the early edge.
 
The Eagles maintained the advantage until the 27^th minute when Ashley Walker pulled the Statesmen level and Andrew Aur put DSU ahead just five minutes later for a 2-1 lead at the half.
 
After the Statesmen scored their third goal in the 49^th minute the Eagles continued to look for their own chances to find the back of the net, and outshot DSU 7-4 in the second half. But the Statesmen's defense was enough to keep the Eagles off the scoreboard, while the offense managed two late goals to seal the win.
 
The Eagles close out their Memphis trip at 7:30 p.m. (CST) on Saturday against Christian Brothers.