Box Score ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Georgia Southern Men's Soccer dropped a 2-1 result to Radford in the opening match of the 2013 Asheville Invitational. GSU conceded a goal early, but tied the match just after the halftime break. Radford, however, added a 69th minute goal to take the victory. The Eagles are back in action on Sunday afternoon against UNC Asheville

"Credit to Radford, we came out slowly and they scored an early goal," said Head Coach Kevin Kennedy. "I was really upset with how we stated the game today. It is tough to win games when you give up a goal in the first five minutes. We got the equalizer after halftime and we pressed hard for the winner. We got some good chances, but Radford caught us on a counterattack and they got the win."

The Highlanders (2-2-1) opened the scoring in the 3rd minute when Joe Mayer got free on a breakaway through the Eagle defense. He slotted the shot into the net from 10 yards to put Radford on top, 1-0.

Georgia Southern was out-shot 9-3 in the opening 45 minutes as goalkeeper Neal Bates made four saves in the opening period.

The teams remained level through the break, but Georgia Southern got the equalizer just 3:15 into the second half as the Norton brothers combined for a goal. Reed Norton delivered a searching cross to the penalty spot where Hunter Norton was on hand with a beautiful diving header to score the goal. The goal was his second of the season, moving him into a tie with Eric Dinka for the team lead.

Radford posted the game-winning goal in the 69th minute as Bernardo Ulmo's breakaway goal put the Highlanders on top 2-1.

Georgia Southern responded in the final 20 minutes, pushing hard for another equalizer. The goal, however, would not come despite 10 shots by Southern in the second half.

The Eagles continue play in the 2013 Asheville Invitational on Sunday afternoon against the host, UNC Asheville. That contest starts at 2:30 p.m. from UNCA's Greenwood Field. That game can be seen live on the Big South Network from BigSouthSports.com

Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics and witter.com/GSAthletics, and its "Eagles GATA" mobile app for Android and iOS.