IRVINE, Calif. – A slow start compounded by a rough second half doomed the Lipscomb men’s soccer team (4-3) to a 3-0 loss on the road to UC Irvine (4-2-1) on Monday night.

“I think was a lot closer than the score would indicate,” said Lipscomb head coach Charles Morrow.” I don’t feel like the guys gave up or stopped playing. For it to be back and forth and then for us to give up a fluky goal, that was pretty heartbreaking. I don’t necessarily think the score was indicative of the game.”

The opening 45 minutes featured just seven total shots with none coming on frame. It was a surprising start from the two sides who combine to average more than 28 shots total a game and had scored 11 goals each in their first six games.

The slow start turned into a disastrous second stanza as the Bisons allowed three goals while senior Joe Kerridge was shown Lipscomb’s first red card of the season.

“It was a weird game,” said Morrow. “There wasn’t a whole lot in the game for either team as far as creating opportunities. The fact that we are coming off an overtime game on Friday plays into that. Irvine was fully rested. Today wasn’t our best game obviously.”

It’s the second 3-0 loss the Bisons have suffered on the season after falling by that scoreline to South Florida earlier in the season. The loss sends the Bisons to 1-3 on the road compared to a perfect 3-0 record at home.

“Every loss hurts,” Morrow said. “For a team that has the goals and this team does, a 3-0 loss stings bad. I think the guys will use it as motivation. We have no choice, honestly. We have to be ready on Saturday when conference play begins.”

QUICK HITS

• Senior defender Joe Kerridge saw the Bisons first red card of the season after seeing a double yellow following a foul late in the second half. The second yellow was for dissent.
• The Bisons managed a season-low seven shots on the night. Senior Eduardo Reza with the only Bison with more than 1.
• Irvine’s first two goals came in the run of play, however the third was the result of a penalty shot. It’s the second consecutive game the Bisons have given up a goal via a penalty.

UP NEXT

Lipscomb will be forced to forget the loss quickly as ASUN play begins for the Bisons in Spartanburg, S.C. against USC Upstate on Saturday night at 6 p.m.