IRVING, Texas -- In a back-and-forth affair it was a second-half goal from the University of Dallas' Ben Utz that proved to be the game-winner as the host Crusaders defeated the LeTourneau men's soccer team, 2-1, in the season opener on Thursday night.

The match started over an hour past the scheduled time due to inclement weather before the women's match prior. It was the season opener for both LeTourneau (0-1) and Dallas (1-0).

The two teams were nearly identical in the stat sheet on shots taken as Dallas held a 14-13 edge in that category, but LeTourneau held a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks. 

Trailing 1-0 at halftime, the visiting Yellowjackets knotted the score in the early moments of the second half. In the 48th minute, LeTourneau forced the ball away from Dallas keeper Anthony Gonzalez inside the box and Russell Gray took over and scored from short range to make it 1-1.

The goal was Gray's first of the year and the 10th of his LeTourneau career.

The Yellowjackets had other looks throughout the second half, but the Dallas defense stood tall.

In the 67th minute, Dallas secured the game-winning score as Utz cleaned up a cross into the box from Matt Villareal and scored past Kolton Johnson to give the Crusaders a 2-1 lead.

LeTourneau had five corner kicks over the final 15 minutes, but was unable to convert on those set pieces as Dallas held on for the victory.

Johnson made three saves at the net for LeTourneau, while Gonzalez also had three for Dallas. Gray had a match-high six shots.

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LeTourneau hosts Austin on Saturday in the home opener. Match time is set for 7 p.m.