Men's Soccer Falls to SIU Edwardsville 2-1

Dan Meacock

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - - Belmont men's soccer falls to 0-2-0 on the season after dropping a 2-1 decision at SIU Edwardsville on the road Saturday night.  Junior Dan Meacock scored the lone goal for the Bruins, heading in a pass from freshman Nico Olsak.

"They were a good team," head coach Earle Davidson said.  Both teams played really well and this could have easily gone either way."

Meacock got BU on the board early.  Olsak crossed a free kick into the box that found Meacock at the eight yard line.  The forward got up and headed it past the Cougar goalkeeper to give Belmont the 1-0 lead in the 10th minute of play.

SIU Edwardsville tied things up when Benny Jeffrey scored on a strike from 25 yards out.  The Cougars' Brian Groark recorded an assist on the play that tied the game at 1-1 in the 27th minute.

Belmont fell behind in the 57th minute when the Cougars' Randy Roy tapped in a cross to take the 2-1 lead.  SIU Edwardsville's Jeffrey and Kevin Bielicki were credited with assists on the play.

"We had a bunch of good chances after their second goal," Davidson continued.  "We could have easily tied it up or taken the lead.  Overall, we played much better than on Wednesday.  Even though it's a loss, it's a good step for us moving forward."

Meacock finished with three shots, all three coming on goal, to lead the Bruin offense.  Junior Juho Illi played all 90 minutes at goalkeeper for BU, recording four saves.  The Cougars outshot Belmont 13-6 and recorded four corner kicks to the Bruins' two.  SIU Edwardsville goalkeeper Scott Meyer matched Illi's four saves in the match.

Scoring the first goal of Belmont's regular season, Meacock moved into a tie with fellow junior Will Moorad, as well as former Bruins Kuni Kotani and Chris Van Atta for sixth place in Belmont annals for career goals scored with 12.

"During these first two games, the young guys have really increased their confidence levels," Davidson concluded.  "They are starting to understand what Division I soccer is all about, and that should help as we move forward to these next two home games."

The Bruins will next return to Nashville to host the Mafioaza's Invitational at the Whitten Soccer Complex.  Belmont will play Centenary on September 10 at 6:30 p.m. and then challenge Gardner-Webb on September 12 at 2:35 p.m.  Lipscomb will also be in attendance at the round robin tournament.