BARBOURVILLE, Ky. -- The 28th-ranked Railsplitters (6-1-1, 3-1-1 SAC) struck early but couldn't hold on as the No. 16 Wingate Bulldogs (8-0-2, 5-0 SAC) scored twice in the second half to hand Lincoln Memorial its first loss of the season in South Atlantic Conference men's soccer action on Sunday in Barbourville, Ky.
 
The Railsplitters started quickly by tallying just the sixth goal allowed by the stingy Wingate defense this season in the third minute. Lincoln Memorial pushed forward as the ball moved down the sideline to MJ Sheriff (Knoxville, Tenn.), who crossed it in for George Burne (Carlisle, England). Burne then tapped it back to Nick Spielman (Melbourne, Fla.), who ripped in his first goal of the season to give the Railsplitters a 1-0 lead.
 
Lincoln Memorial mustered the only shot on goal of the period despite being outshot 6-3 and carried that 1-0 lead into the break.
 
The complexion of the match was altered substantially early in the second half as Wingate's Garret Bridgewater was shown a red card in the 46th minute and sent off the pitch.
 
The effect was not as expected, though, as Wingate took advantage of the disorganization immediately following the red card and produced the equalizer. With the Railsplitters scrambling, Charlie Machell found a trailing Shaun Gadsby at the top of the box in the 47th minute, and he planted in the game-tying score.
 
Despite controlling possession for most of the ensuing passage of play while holding a man-up advantage, the Railsplitters were only able to put three shots on goal over the next 25 minutes of action, but all three were stopped by Wingate keeper Pablo Jara.
 
In one of its few chances later in the second half, Wingate took advantage. After firing down a long pass into their offensive zone and drawing a foul just outside of the box, the Bulldogs were awarded a free kick within striking distance in the 78th minute. Shaun Gadsby's first attempt was blocked by the wall in front, but William Siu (Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil) was immediately red carded. Gadsby then got another try at the free kick and he delivered the game winner, curling a shot into the upper right-hand corner of the net.
 
With the playing field back even at 10 players per side, the Railsplitters built up a scoring chance late in regulation as Lucas Coro (Ribeirao Preto, Brazil) struck a beautiful header in the 82nd minute. Jara made an absolutely stunning save, though, diving to his left and knocking the ball out to keep Wingate's lead intact.
 
The Railsplitters wouldn't get another shot in the match as Wingate held on for the 2-1 victory.
 
Lincoln Memorial outshot the Bulldogs 14-11 with a 6-2 disparity in shots on goal. Wingate finished with a 6-3 advantage on corner kick attempts.
 
Spielman led the Railsplitters with four shots, while three other players produced three shot attempts.
 
Lincoln Memorial dropped to 2-8 in the all-time series against Wingate and lost to the Bulldogs for the fourth straight time since 2012.
 
The Railsplitters return to action on Wednesday when they host the Carson-Newman Eagles on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.