MARIETTA, Ga. – The Crusaders recorded their first loss of the season as they fell to Life University 2-0 on Thursday evening.
 
The Running Eagles started fast and what would be a premonition of things to come. A Life free kick, just right of the Carey penalty area, was whipped into the box and found the feet of Thomas Rodella. Rodella managed to get the shot off amongst a sea of bodies and forced an excellent save from Henry Hampshaw from point blank range.
 
Carey's best chance of the half would come on the 15-minute mark. A cross-field ball found the feet of Jamie Wynne. Wynne brought it under his spell, beat his defender, and fired the ball across the goal and off the inside of the post. The ball ricocheted off the post and into the grateful arms of George Edgley in the Life goalie.
 
Life looked to exploit Carey's left-hand side with most of the Running Eagle attacks coming down that side. In the 19^th minute that tactic paid off. A long ball into the box from Life's right-hand side was headed away by Giovanni Soares. The clearance fell to the feet of Ervin Sula 20 yards out. Sula pulled the trigger, and despite Soares's best efforts to block the shot, deflected off Soares into the Carey net. 1-0 Life.
 
Ten minutes later and Life had the chance to double their lead. A long ball over the top of the Carey defense allowed the Life forward in. Soares accidentally tripped the forward, and although the foul seemed to be outside the box, the referee awarded the penalty. Everything evened itself out as Hampshaw denied Rodella with an excellent diving save to his right and tipped the ball onto the post and out for a corner.
 
On the 38^th minute, Life had doubled their lead. A long ball down the left found Finn Seijsener. Seijsener managed to wriggle his way between two defenders before crossing to an open Rodella at the back post who stooped to head the ball into an open net.
 
Carey came out of half time looking to get back into the game early and nearly did. Kolby Godbolt found the ball at his feet just inside the Life penalty area. Godbolt unleashed a vicious shot and hit the near post. Unfortunately, the ball rolled across the face of the goal with no Crusader on hand to tap in.
 
Next it was Life's turn to hit the woodwork. A clever corner from the Running Eagles resulted in the ball being rolled to the top of the box and the resulting shot rattling off the crossbar. The ricochet fell to the Crusaders, and they were able to clear.
 
The remainder of the second half saw both teams taking it in turn to control possession and fashion chances. Life aiming to put the game to bed and the Crusaders looking for a way back into the game. The Crusaders closest chance came off a Luka Brandic corner, but Soares was unable to turn his header goalwards. Hampshaw kept the Crusaders in the game with several big saves and a commanding presence in his penalty area.
 
The Crusaders are back in action on Sunday at 3 PM as they travel to play Dalton State in SSAC action.