Box Score DAYTON, Ohio- The Belmont University men's soccer team (1-7-2, 0-3-1) earned its first conference points of the season Saturday night as its matchup with preseason favorite Wright State (6-4-1, 2-1-1) ended in a 0-0 draw in double overtime in Horizon League action at Alumni Field.
Facing the Horizon League leader in scoring, the Bruins held the host Wright State Raiders in check and stood their ground to notch their first road result. Freshman goalkeeper Mertcan Akar (Cologne, Germany) was terrific as he recorded his third double-digit save performance of the season, racking up 11 saves. The Bruins, notching their first shutout of the season, blanked a Wright State team that came in averaging over 2.5 goals per match at home.
"We didn't let ourselves fall prey to the many distractions that can happen during a game by helping each other stay focused with positive talk and encouragement. We had a tremendous team effort defensively, particularly with all the restarts and long throw ins we had to deal with. Our backline did a great job both individually and as a unit in shutting down their prolific attack. But we also were able to control the possession of the game," remarked Belmont Head Coach Bryan Green. "We may not have had all the stats they did but I thought we did a good job of possessing the ball to create our opportunities and negate their attack and in the second half and overtime we controlled the tempo and the game."
With his NCAA Division I best 80 saves Akar has moved into ninth place all-time on Belmont's single season saves list just 10 matches into the campaign.
"Mertcan was fantastic. He was very busy tonight not just with saves, but coming off his line to pick up through balls and long balls, as well as dominating his box on crosses and long throw ins. He also did a good job directing and organizing his backs throughout the game," said Green.
Stephen Bailey (Nashville, Tenn.) and Ohio native, Eli Crognale (Gahanna, Ohio) each recorded two shots to pace the Bruin attack.
With conference standings on the line, the teams battled back and forth as neither side would give an inch. The Raiders would outshoot the Bruins, 28-6, but Belmont was tactical in its approach and remained very careful with the way it attacked. BU finished with six shots, putting two on goal in the 110 minutes of play.
For the sixth time in its last seven contests Belmont played to a 0-0 score with its opponent at the intermission. Wright State attacked with 13 first halfshots but the Bruin defensive unit stayed strong. After a relatively light load for the first 39 minutes of the match, Akar was tested three times in the final six minutes of the first half. The Cologne, Germany native would answer the bell all three times to fend off the WSU offensive. In the 39th Wright State's Eric Lynch, who entered the match with four goals on the season, pushed a strong shot from inside the 18' in Akar's direction, but Akar managed to thwart the very dangerous attempt. In the 44th, the Raiders came close again but Akar maintained his clean sheet with an impressive save to bring the Bruins into half time tied at 0-0. While WSU held an edge in shots and corners in the first half, Belmont created many positive possessions in its attacking third.
"It is a big point in the conference, and being on the road is an added bonus. We are a bit disappointed to not come away with three points, but it is still good to get a point off one of the top teams in the league. Going forward we know we have the ability to battle and earn more results and turn the single points into three," added Green.
After some back and forth possessions, Wright State threatened with a slew of close-range opportunities in the 61st but the Bruin backline battled for a crucial clearance. Again in the 65th Wright State would attack, but Akar crushed the Raider attempt with an acrobatic save as he lept into the air to knock the shot away. Akar recorded five second half saves, including two in the final four minutes of action, to help force over time.
In the first overtime session neither team could get much going as Belmont earned a corner and registered a shot in the 10 minute stanza. Akar made one save while Wright State's best chance at score came just 30 seconds into the frame when Peguy Ngatcha missed a shot high.
Akar was tested early in the second overtime session but denied both attempts in the 102nd minute. Just a minute later Matt Lopoyda (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) registered a shot on frame, but the WSU keeper would make the save. Belmont attacked with three setpieces in the second overtime period as all three came off the foot of the freshman Crognale.
In the final two minutes of play, there were two cards issued and Wright State would earn a cornerkick, but Belmont stayed composed on defense to earn the road result.
In its two trips to the city of Dayton this season, Belmont has played in two-overtime matches as its Sept. 4 match with the Dayton Flyers resulted in a double-overtime loss.
Crognale along with his freshman teammate Jack Driscoll (New Albany, Ohio) made return trips to their home state along with Coach Green.
Akar, Crognale, Driscoll, Dan Brown (Franklin, Tenn.), Dennis Kluba (St. Louis, Mo.), and Sam Borgel (Marietta, Ga.) all played for the duration of the match.
Belmont returns to action Tuesday, when it travels to No. 9 Louisville for a non-conference match.
"Mertcan was fantastic. He was very busy tonight not just with saves, but coming off his line to pick up through balls and long balls, as well as dominating his box on crosses and long throw ins. He also did a good job directing and organizing his backs throughout the game," said Green.
