TIFFIN -- The Heidelberg University Men's Soccer team was beaten in the conference opener, 3-2, by Muskingum University on Saturday. In the loss, Zane Paul and Emiliano Romero notched their first goals of the season.  

Evenly matched throughout, Muskingum broke a scoreless tie with a header by Evan Laraba in the 39th minute.  

Inspired after the halftime break, HU answered in the 52nd.  Paul intercepted a pass deep in the Muskingum third, then knifed through two defenders.  In alone with the keeper, Paul slotted a bending shot with his left into the net.  

The Muskies responded with a pair of goals from shots outside the penalty area, scoring in the 54th and 58th minute.

Down a pair, Heidelberg halved the Muskingum lead with Romero's tally in the 75th. Standing in the center, near the top of the 18, Romero took a pass from the left wing.  With a Muskie charging, Romero deftly played a touch into space on his right before whistling the ball past the keeper.  For the California freshman, the marker was the first of his collegiate career.  

Try as they might, the Student Princes were unable to find an equalizer.  

Goalkeeper Bradshaw Uhlmann made three saves in the loss.  

Heidelberg travels to John Carroll University on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. contest.