(September 16, 2009) VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – The Hampden-Sydney soccer Tigers dropped their first ODAC contest of the season tonight in a hard-fought match at Foster Field at Virginia Wesleyan College.

The Tigers came out ready to play from the start, and their early aggression paid immediate dividends as junior Matt Swaney (Potomac Falls, VA/Potomac Falls) scored in the third minute to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. On the play, junior Matt Hampton (Virginia Beach, VA/Kellam), playing in front of home-town fans, sent a free kick deep into Virginia Wesleyan territory. Sophomore Bryan Hughes (Midlothian, VA/Cosby) outraced the Marlin defense to the ball and played the ball across the box, where Swaney rose above the defender and headed it home.

Both teams had more opportunities in the half, with a Marlin header hitting the post in the tenth minute, and freshman Chris Whiteside (Virginia Beach, VA/Frank W. Cox) putting a strike on frame that was saved by the diving Marlin goalkeeper. In the 32nd minute, a long ball from the Virginia Wesleyan defense made it over the Tigers back line. Clay Price for the Marlins was able to get to the ball and slide it into the lower left corner of the goal to even the score at 1-1.

The Tigers picked up the pace to start the second half and began winning more balls and out-scrapping the Marlins. Senior JoJo Howard (Lanexa, VA/New Kent) brought spirited play off the bench and created several scoring chances for his teammates. It was the Marlins' Price, however, who was able to score again on a long cross from the left side which he was able to head into the goal.

The last 20 minutes of the game belonged to the Tigers, but they were unable to capitalize on several scoring chances, and the game ended with the final score of 2-1 in favor of the Marlins. With the loss, the Tigers dropped to 4-2-0 overall and 0-1-0 in ODAC play.

The Tigers will return to action this coming Saturday, September 19 as they face the Wasps of Emory and Henry College at home on Miller Field at 1 pm.