VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.— Sophomore Daniel Surley brought the match even at two with his goal in the 76th minute, but that would not be enough as Virginia Wesleyan University scored the game-winner in the 85th minute to hand the 3-2 loss to the Averett University men's soccer team Wednesday night.
 
Virginia Wesleyan came out firing on the attack and created multiple chances on net in the first 20 minutes of the match. This intensity paid off for them in the 15th minute when Ricky Perrault beat freshman goalkeeper Marius Olavesen to the near post to give the Marlins the 1-0 lead.
 
Averett weathered the storm for the next 25 minutes, holding the deficit to one. In the last five minutes before the end of the half, the Cougars created three scoring opportunities which they could not convert on. Virginia Wesleyan led 1-0 at the half.
 
The Marlins started the second half the same way they started the first, with a lot of pressure on the attack and it again paid dividends as they were able to double their lead. In the 58th minute, Harrison Weinfeld tallied his first of the season to give his team the 2-0 lead.
 
Averett did not give in and instead started putting more pressure on the Marlins back line. In the 68th minute, junior Ville Hautakangas knocked in a loose ball in front of goal to cut the deficit to one.
 
Each side traded a scoring opportunity before the Cougars went back down the field and brought the game level. Junior David Cuperman chipped a ball into the box that found Surley who blasted home his shot in the 76th minute to even the game at two.
 
From then on the action went back and forth with each side looking for the go ahead goal. Unfortunately for the Cougars, Virginia Wesleyan was the first to strike the scoreboard as Tyriq Wellman tucked home the game-winner in the 85th minute.
 
Averett returns home to prepare for their home opener on Friday, Sept. 8, against Guilford College. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.