Box Score CHICAGO, Ill.- Playing its final road match of the regular season, the Belmont University men's soccer team (2-12-3, 1-5-2) came up short as it fell to the University of Illinois-Chicago (7-6-3, 5-2-1) , 2-0 Saturday evening at Flames Field.
With a score midway through the first half and an insurance goal late in the second, UIC earned its seventh conference victory of the year despite a gritty effort from the young Bruins. After winning on the road at then second place Oakland Golden Grizzlies a week ago, the Bruins couldn't quite come up with same magic in Chicago facing the league's current second place squad.
At the half the Bruins trailed by a tally of 1-0 as the Flames struck first with an early score. After a scramble UIC's Oscar Rivero gained possession and pushed it past Akar for his third goal of the season. Belmont would battle and register three corners in pursuit of an equalizer, but heading into the intermission the host Flames held the lead.
The Bruins and Flames would play 35 minutes of scoreless soccer in the second half as both teams jockeyed for position, but UIC's Max Todd struck for a late goal in the 81st to give the Flames some breathing room at 2-0.
Mertcan Akar (Cologne, Germany) finished with three saves and has moved into sole possession of fourth place all-time on Belmont's single season saves list with 108 saves. Akar continues to lead all of NCAA Division I in total saves.
After allowing just one goal over the last 390 minutes in conference play, the Bruins saw their opponent tally two scores Saturday night.
The Bruins conclude their 2016 regular season this Friday, Nov. 4 when they host Detroit for their season finale at E.S. Rose Park. Match time is slated for 6:30 p.m. as Belmont's seniors will be honored during an on field ceremony.
