MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Nic Fischer's penalty save in the 44th minute held the No. 13 team in the country off of the scoreboard for the first 80 minutes, but a free kick headed in by Justin Riescher handed Faulkner a 1-0 loss Thursday night at Billy D. Hilyer Stadium. However, the results elsewhere assured that the Eagles will host the first round of the SSAC tournament for just the second time ever and the first time on campus. 

The Eagles held the Roadrunners to just three shots on target in the first half before Riescher drew a penalty in the 44th minute. With about 90 seconds to go, Fischer denied the shot, assuring a level scoreline at half. But the decisive moment came when Riescher flicked a backwards header off a free kick from Jurgen Ramirez into the top corner. 

Faulkner could not break down the stingy Dalton State defense, shooting just thrice, none closer than Guilherme Mondaini's free kick that marginally missed the post. The Roadrunners outshot Faulkner 12-3 and placed six shots on frame. 

Attention now shifts to Thursday against the Barons. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. at John Mark Stallings Field.