The Emory University men's soccer team was dealt its first defeat inside University Athletic Association play Saturday afternoon, falling to Carnegie Mellon University, 1-0, in Pittsburgh.

A second half goal was the difference as the Tartans improved to 7-4-2 and 1-2 in UAA competition. For the Eagles, they fell to 2-1 in conference and 5-6-1 overall. The win for Carnegie Mellon was its first conference victory since October 30, 2022 – a streak spanning 10 league matches.

Emory owned the shot battle with a 13-11 margin in total attempts and a 9-6 edge in shots on goal, but CMU's Kai Yamamoto made eight saves, including four in the second half, to preserve the shutout.

The two sides were scoreless through one half with Emory outshooting the Tartans, 6-4, across the opening 45 minutes. Graduate student Ryan Winkler and junior Josh Grand both put two shots on frame but were turned away by Yamamoto.

The Tartans struck in the early stages of the second half with Tristan Gonzalez scoring the decisive goal in the 50^th minute. CMU's Jake Slackman provided a quick touch pass to Gonzalez at the top of the box where he was able to one-time a left-footed shot under the diving Keirnan Skelly at the near post.

Following Carnegie Mellon taking the lead, the Eagles saw three near chances from Winkler including a shot that looked destined for the top left corner in the 58^th minute but an impressive leaping stop by Yamamoto kept the score a 1-0. Winkler finished with a game-high five shots on goal.

The Eagles suffered an unfortunate red card in the 80^th minute when Skelly was sent off after making a play on a one-on-one breakaway opportunity by CMU's James Ashby. Skelly ranged a bit too far outside the 18 box prior to making the save and was handed a straight red.

Emory only played a man down for two minutes when the Tartans' Robert Lloyd was issued his second yellow card in the 82^nd minute.

With both teams playing with nine field players, only one shot was put forth across the final eight minutes of action. Sophomore Lorenzo Avalos sent a screamer from straight on and 30 yards out but Yamamoto once more made the save.

The Eagles will look to return to the win column next week in the first UAA double weekend of the year. Emory will first travel to Waltham, Massachusetts on Friday to face Brandeis in a 7:30 PM kickoff.