Belmont's Season Ends With 3-1 Loss to ETSU

JOHNSON CITY, TENN. – In what was the final game of the Belmont (3-13-1) men's soccer team's 2009 season, the Bruins were defeated by ETSU (5-8-3) in Johnson City, Tenn. by a score of 3-1.  Both teams learned of their post-season fate before kickoff, as the Bruins were eliminated by a loss to USC Upstate on Friday and ETSU clinched a spot in the Atlantic Sun Tournament with a win over Lipscomb on Friday.

Belmont surrendered their first goal midway through the first half when Mohsen Pourmaorteza's cross into the box found the head of Tony Nunes who put the shot past the Bruins goalkeeper.

The Buccaneers scored their second goal of the contest after a giveaway in the Bruins defense led to a breakaway.  ETSU's Sean Hoek tucked the ball away to give the Buccaneers a two goal lead.

At the end of the first half ETSU had outshot Belmont 8-5 and took a two goal lead into the half.

ETSU added to their lead in the second half after a foul just outside of the Bruins 18-yard box gave the Buccaneers a dangerous free kick opportunity.  Sean Hoek stepped up to bury the shot for the Buccaneers who took a 3-0 lead after the score.

Senior Wade Wonderlin (Franklin, Tenn.) scored for Belmont with five minutes remaining in the match.  Sophomore Will Moorad (Brentwood, Tenn.) sent in a cross that initially found the head of Wade Wonderlin.  Wonderlin's first header hit the crossbar, but he was able to collect the rebound and put in the goal.

The goal capped off the final game for the Bruins.  Both Belmont and ETSU took 12 shots in the contest. 

The Bruins goalkeepers Lou Manning (Southlake, Texas), Wes Wray (Bowling Green, Ky.), and Ron Gravely (Dallas, Texas) combined to make 5 saves in the contest, while ETSU's keeper tallied 2 saves.

The game marks the end of a very successful 4 year stint at Belmont for five seniors: Ron Gravely, Justin Hay (Toronto, Canada), Justin Ferguson (Littleton, Colo.), Wade Wonderlin, and Cameron Eades (Hendersonville, Tenn.).