ATLANTA, GA - The Hampden-Sydney College soccer team traveled down to Atlanta, GA, to participate in the Sonny Carter Invitational on the campus of Emory University, but the first day of play left the Tigers with the first loss of the season, succumbing to Oglethorpe University 2-1.

The game marked a return to what many have come to expect from a Hampden-Sydney soccer game: a low scoring affair with the tone of the game set by the defense. Only 10 combined shots were fired away in the first-half as the defenses keeping their opponent in check. It would remain a scoreless match until junior standout midfielder Bryan Wharton (Glen Allen, VA/Deep Run) stole the ball from an Oglethorpe player to lead to a score to put H-SC up 1-0 at the 65:16 mark.

However, Oglethorpe struck back with their own score off a loose ball in front of the goal that Steven Bott booted in to even up the game at 1-1 in the 72nd minute. OU wasted no time to score the game-winner as Jeff Arsenault convereted a header off a Russell Thompson corner kick at the 73:55 mark.

Hampden-Sydney fought until the very end and got off three more shots, but two sailed wide and the other high as Oglethorpe held on for the win. Wharton and Nick DeProspero (Midlothian, VA/Cosby) combined for 11 of the 15 Tigers shots. H-SC outshot OU 15-12, but neither team proved to be able to put the ball on goal well as Hampden-Sydney managed just three on goal while Oglethorpe had four. Oglethorpe held a 8-4 advantage in corner kicks and also committed 13 fouls compared to nine for the Tigers.

Hampden-Sydney looks to return to the winners circleon Sunday as they battle host school Emory University at 2;30 p.m. in the concluding match of the Sonny Carter Invitational.