Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Notching its third-straight victory, the Belmont University men's soccer team earned a program record-tying sixth shutout of the season late Tuesday afternoon at E.S. Rose Park in the Music City. The Bruins found the back of the net on four occasions as Belmont defeated visiting Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) 4-0 to improve to 7-3-1.
Extending their home winning streak to a school record six matches, the Bruins saw four different players score with three second-half goals.
Despite not getting on the scoreboard until the final 10 seconds of the first half, Belmont was efficient offensively and scored on four of its six shots on target.
After sophomore forward Esteban Leiva nearly put the ball between the pipes twice in the first half, on a diving header and a powerful boot inside the box, it was sophomore midfielder AJ Chastonay who gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead with just seconds remaining before the break. A deep throw-in by senior defender John Bannec from the left touchline was dropped in to Leiva, who left the ball for Chastonay to punch in with his right foot.
Limiting the Jaguars (2-7-1) to just one shot, which sailed right in the 11th minute, Belmont tallied eight first-half shots with three of those on goal. Collecting six corner kicks on the day, the Bruins had four in the opening 45 minutes of action.
Three of Belmont's four shots in the second half found their way through the posts, beginning with a fabulous goal by sophomore midfielder Michael Saunders just six minutes in. Dicing up the defense on the wing for the majority of the contest with his terrific footwork, Saunders created just enough space from a few feet outside the left corner of the six-yard box to launch a strike that sailed into the back of the net. His unassisted score representing his second of the season and third of his two-year Bruin career.
Just over 10 minutes later in the 60th, senior midfielder/defender Jack Shaw set up senior forward Ares Marlonsson for a beautiful cross from the right corner. Recording his first assist of the fall, Marlonsson sent the ball in to senior forward Liam O'Brien, who tapped in his team-leading sixth goal of the season.
Belmont tacked on a final goal five minutes later right after the 65th minute when senior midfielder/defender Esteban Lestido drew a foul in front of the 18-yard box. Earning a free kick about 10 yards out from the box, Lestido did not hesitate to take a shot on goal. He drove a scorching missile just below the crossbar for his fourth career goal and first of the fall.
Making three more saves to bring his season total to 36, reigning Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Month Drew Romig secured his fifth shutout.
For the third-straight game, the Bruins played a match without either team being issued a card.
Of Note
- Belmont is now 7-1-1 across its last nine matches
- The Bruins have now posted six shutouts in consecutive seasons for the second time in program history.
- Following a 5-0 win at Virginia Military Institute Saturday afternoon, Belmont has scored nine goals across its last two matches. The nine goals are the most in back-to-back victories in school history.
- The Bruins have won three consecutive matches for the second time this season – Sept. 2-10 versus UNC Asheville (1-0), SIUE (1-0) and Georgia State (2-1, 2OT).
- Winning nine of their last 11 home matches, Belmont has gone 15-7-3 at Rose Park since the start of the 2018 season.
- Five different Bruins have scored across Belmont's last two matches.
- Shaw's secondary assist on O'Brien's goal was his fourth helper of the season. He is now second on the team in assists, just one shy of senior forward Niccolo Dagnoni's team-leading five.
- Now with a team-best six goals this fall and 12 for his career, O'Brien moved into a three-way tie for the seventh-most in program history. The Freehold, New Jersey, native owns two braces and a hat trick across the last two seasons.
Up Next
The Bruins continue their four-match homestand this Saturday when they return to SoCon play by welcoming Wofford to the Music City. Kickoff from Rose Park is scheduled for 5 p.m. with the match broadcast on ESPN+.
Follow Belmont men's soccer on social media - @BelmontMSoccer on Twitter and @belmontmsoccer on Instagram - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
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