Box Score BUIES CREEK, N.C.-Despite leading in cornerkicks 10-2 and putting forth a strong effort on the road, the Belmont University men's soccer team (1-6-1, 0-2-0) fell in a 2-0 decision Tuesday evening at Campbell.
Campbell struck for a pair of second half goals to help earn the victory. The teams played an even match as each team recorded double-digit shots in what was and a back-and-forth contest.
There was no shortage of fouls to be had Tuesday night as the teams combined for 31 fouls, 23 of which were called on the host Camels. In addition to the high foul count, there were six combined cautions on the match.
"We played well in both halves. It was just difficult to find a rhythm as they kept fouling and fouling and fouling. The only way to get a team to stop fouling you when that seems to be their only objective is to score on a restart, which we came close on several times, or for the referee to give cards. Unfortunately neither happened so they were free to continue fouling us at will. The fouling certainly wore us down. They had more fouls in the first half than all but one opponent we have faced thus far had in the entire game," remarked Head Coach Bryan Green after the match.
For the fourth time in their last five matches, the Bruins were deadlocked at 0-0 with their opponent at the half. The score stood at nil-nil, but statistically speaking Belmont had the upperhand. BU led in shots, 5-1 and registered five cornerkicks compared to Campbell's zero. Eli Crognale (Gahanna, Ohio), who entered the match tied for the team lead in shots, was very active in Belmont's attack as he recorded a pair of shots including one on goal. The Belmont defense had light work in the first half, as the Camels notched just one shot.
After the Bruins came out aggressive to kick off the second stanza, picking up three corners in the first nine minutes of play, it was the Camels who ended up opening the scoring with a goal in the 60th minute. Just over a minute after entering the match Campbell's Gabe Parrish headed one past Akar off a service into the box to put the Camels ahead, 1-0.
Campbell struck again in the 73rd to push its lead to 2-0.
The Bruins wouldn't go lightly as they ramped up the offensive attack facing a deficit on the road. After the 80th minute had passed Belmont put together two strong attempts to try to fight back. In the 84th, Creaghan Diekema (Grand Rapids, Mich.) picked up a header, putting it on goal, but the Campbell keeper made the save. Again in the 85th a rally would occur, but this time Stephen Bailey (Nashville, Tenn.) saw his shot attempt saved.
Green admired his team's ability to handle the adversity stating, "I was proud of our guys because they kept their heads against a team that seemed to play with an intent to win at all costs. We didn't fall into that and while this is a small consolation it shows a great deal of maturity for a young team and a sign that we are on the edge of taking off."
Belmont recorded five shots apiece in each stanza, and was able to generate a persistent attack by earning a plethora of cornerkick opportunities.
"We were constantly on them in the attack and had great success getting around them on the outside. We had several crosses just miss and a few other balls that were blocked by defenders. Others went out for the 10 corners we earned," added Green.
Mertcan Akar (Cologne, Germany) picked up at least five saves for the eighth time in eight matches and Bailey and Adriano Balani (Durres, Albania) each recorded two shots to pace BU.
With 10 shots registered against Campbell, Belmont has now recorded at least 10 shots in back to back games for the second time this season as it has been very active in its attacking third as of late.
The Bruins resume Horizon League play with a match at Milwaukee this Saturday, Sept. 24. Match time in the Cream City is slated for 7 p.m.
