ABILENE, Texas – An emotional and back-and-forth cross-town rivalry game did not favor McMurry University Men's Soccer on Friday evening, as the War Hawks fell 3-2 at Hardin-Simmons at the HSU Soccer Complex.

McMurry ends the season with a 6-10-1 overall record with its last six games resulting in either a tie or a one-goal margin. Meanwhile, HSU moves to 14-3-1 overall and 7-3-1 in American Southwest Conference games, clinching the third seed for the ASC Championship first round.

Momentum wore maroon and white early in the contest, as a second-chance header by senior Miguel Esteban Jr. sailed into the top right corner of the net for the game's first score in the seventh minute. After his initial shot bounced off the cross bar, Esteban lunged at the loose ball and tickled the twine.

The lead would be short lived following HSU goals in the 23rd and 34th minutes by the tandem of Austin Wills and Caziah Yame. The Cowboys extended their lead in the second half with a goal from Freddy Hernandez.

The War Hawks battled back in the closing moments, drawing a foul in the box to set up a penalty kick goal from Esteban Jr. in the 79th minute. Deeking right, the senior angled his kick left bound and through to pull his team within one.

McMurry threatened to tie in the final minute with a timely corner attempt, pulling senior keeper Francisco Avilez out of the net and onto the attacking third. Avilez and a couple more maroon jerseys attempted to head the equalizer, but the kick sailed high and HSU ran out the time.

Esteban had a game-high five shots and three shots on goal, while junior DJ Jaime added two shots with one on frame. All 11 starters logged 90 minutes in the match.

Avilez worked hard in the net with five saves, facing 20 shots from HSU and eight shots on frame. McMurry finished with 10 shots and four on goal.