MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — The Florida Gulf Coast University men’s soccer team dropped a 3-2 decision to the College of Charleston on Sunday night at Patriots Point, conceding an 86th-minute game-winner after playing the final 17 minutes short-handed following a straight red card.

Matt Lenert scored his second goal of the match at 85:12 to break a 2-2 tie for Charleston (1-0-1), heading home a cross from Henrik Boer. The decisive strike came after FGCU defender Christian Nobo was sent off in the 73rd minute (72:47), forcing the Eagles (0-2-0) to finish the contest with 10 players.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, FGCU generated an active attack, out-shooting the Cougars 10-6 overall and holding a 6-4 edge in shots on goal. The Eagles nearly equalized in the 87th minute, but Charleston goalkeeper Marten Brink recorded his fourth save of the night to preserve the win.

The two sides combined for four goals in a rapid first half. Michiharu Takanashi put Charleston ahead in the third minute (2:47) before Brooks Beeman answered for FGCU at 29:22 off an assist from Marco Santana for his first goal of the season. Lenert reclaimed the lead for the Cougars at 32:35 on a header off a free kick, but Emerson LaOrden, a Naples, Florida native, equalized for the Eagles 46 seconds later (33:21) with his first collegiate goal to send the match into halftime tied 2-2. Charleston also had two goals negated by offside calls in the contest.

FGCU goalkeeper Marcelo Lacayo finished with one save on four shots on goal faced. The physical contest included 24 total fouls and six cards, with Charleston called for 15 fouls.

The Eagles remain on the road traveling to Lynchburg, Virginia, to face former Atlantic Sun Conference rival Liberty University on Friday, Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.