Box Score OMAHA, Neb. - - Belmont University men's soccer dropped a 3-1 decision at Omaha Sunday afternoon.
The Bruins had to stave off an early Omaha push, as sophomore goalkeeper Grayson Rector (Peachtree City, Ga.) denied Nick Miller's header off a Maverick corner kick.
Junior Cody Carpenter (Clinton, Miss.) had a promising opportunity in the ninth minute blocked by the back line.
But after two Bruin corner kicks, Omaha struck first in the 27th minute as Vance Rookwood scored on a setup from Xavier Gomez.
Undeterred, Belmont answered back. Junior Raphael Colmanette (Sao Paulo, Brazil) delivered a wonderful ball to senior Joao Fonseca (Aracaju, Brazil), who beat Joseph Ghitis clean and tied the score 1-1.
Less than four minutes later, Rookwood would tally for the second time in the half to put Omaha ahead 2-1.
Emotions rose in the second 45 as the Bruin fought for an equalizer.
One almost came in the 73rd minute, as senior captain Tyoler Vieth (Evansville, Ind.) nearly deposited a corner kick offering from senior Diego Figueroa (Pensacola, Fla.), but Ghitis was up to the challenge.
Rector denied Christian Garcia in the 77th minute to keep hopes alive.
But as the hosts accumulated cautions and corner kicks with regularly in the second half, Emir Alihodzic scored in the 83rd minute to provide a two goal margin.
Belmont (0-4) returns to action Friday, Sept. 12 against James Madison. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT from E.S. Rose Park. The match will be broadcast live on the Horizon League Network.
