BELMONT, N.C. — The Carson-Newman men's soccer team fell to Belmont Abbey, 2-1, on Wednesday afternoon at Alumni Field.

With the loss, the Eagles drop to 9-4-1 on the season, while Belmont Abbey improves to 8-5-2.

The teams got off to a fast start, scoring a goal apiece in the first five minutes of the contest. The Crusaders struck first, as Jose Penaloza finished off a cross from Matt Dolan in the third minute to give Belmont Abbey a 1-nil advantage.

C-N answered quickly, however, with a goal from Robert Hill (Middlesbrough, England), who headed in a long throw in from Daniel Zitt (Morristown, Tenn.) in the fifth minute for the equalizer.

The defenses controlled things for the remainder of the first half and midway through the second half before Belmont Abbey's Conor Wells scored the match-winner in the 69th minute.

The Eagles held a 14-6 advantage in shots, including an 8-4 edge in shots on goal.

C-N goalkeeper Jordan Moore (Hendersonville, Tenn.) collected two saves in the loss. Belmont Abbey keeper Sergio Ramirez tallied seven saves to earn the win.

C-N returns to the pitch on Saturday at home in a South Atlantic Conference matchup with Mars Hill. Match time is set for 7 p.m. at McCown Field.