AMERICUS, Ga. – In front of a packed Homecoming crowd of 1,463 at Hurricane Field, the Georgia Southwestern State University men's soccer team struck early but came up short in a 2-1 loss to Lander University on Saturday evening in Peach Belt Conference play.

The Hurricanes put together a strong offensive effort, outshooting the Bearcats 16-8, but a pair of first-half goals proved to be the difference.

Lander (4-2-6, 3-2-3 PBC) opened the scoring in the 13th minute on a finish from Giacomo Sartori, but Georgia Southwestern (4-6-2, 3-5-1 PBC) responded just over ten minutes later. Axel-Ambroise Gravel equalized in the 26th minute with his fourth goal of the season, beating the keeper with a clean strike after creating space at the top of the box.

The Bearcats regained the lead in the 36th minute on a deflected own goal by GSW and held off multiple challenges from the home side in the second half. The Hurricanes generated eight shots after the break, including strong chances from Cesar Rubio-Amaya and Jonathan Bedard, but could not find the net.

GSW played the final 35 minutes down a man following a red card to goalkeeper Noah Kasin in the 54th minute. Sophomore Nathan Grady entered in relief and stopped the only shot he faced to keep the Hurricanes within reach.

The setback marked Lander's fourth consecutive win over Georgia Southwestern and ninth in the last ten meetings between the two programs.

Gravel led the Hurricanes with four shots, while Rubio-Amaya and Dante Johnson each added two. The Hurricanes also held a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Georgia Southwestern returns to the pitch Wednesday with a Peach Belt Conference road match at Flagler College.