Box Score GREENSBORO, N.C. – Belmont men's soccer fell to the UNC Greensboro Spartans in overtime, 3-2, Saturday afternoon at UNCG Soccer Stadium.
The Bruins (5-1-2, 2-1-1 SoCon) surrendered their first loss of the season, as they are now tied for second place in the Southern Conference standings.
UNC Greensboro (6-2-1, 2-1-1 SoCon) was awarded and netted a penalty kick with two seconds remaining in regulation to send it to overtime. The Spartans eventually logged the win on a 99th minute golden goal courtesy of freshman forward Theo Collomb.
Belmont was led by the midfielder tandem of junior Kyle Barks and senior Jack Shaw, who each tabbed goals to give the team a late 2-1 advantage by the 75th minute. Senior goalkeeper Drew Romig racked up a season and career-high seven saves on 19 shots faced.
The Bruins opened the first half as the aggressor, as a counterattack off a UNC Greensboro corner kick nearly came to fruition for Belmont in the sixth minute. The Spartans tallied their first shot of the day in the 15th minute, but it sailed high over the crossbar.
Belmont tested UNC Greensboro for the first time with a header off a free kick from junior forward Liam O'Brien in the 18th minute. Just one minute later, Romig made a massive one-on-one save with a Spartan attacker in the 19th minute.
In the 21st minute, Shaw dribbled into the UNC Greensboro box, but his service was cleared out by the back line. The Spartans broke through in the 29th minute on a goal from junior midfielder Izaiah Vignali.
The Bruins quickly responded, as a curling shot from freshman midfielder AJ Chastonay bounced off the left post in the 36th minute. Shaw then nestled a shot aimed for the top right of the net two minutes later, but it was saved by the goalkeeper.
Romig registered yet another save in the 40th minute to keep UNC Greensboro at bay, but the Spartans still took a 1-0 advantage to the half.
At halftime, Belmont fired three shots with two on target, while the Spartans racked up six shots with four on goal. Romig was forced to make three saves in the first 45 minutes of action, as UNC Greensboro notched four first-half corner kick attempts.
The Spartans opened the second half with three shots on target in the first five minutes, each of which were saved by Romig. Two of the shots came in quick succession, as Romig made a pair of back-to-back diving saves to keep the score intact.
The Bruins equalized in the 53rd minute on an unassisted deep strike from Barks. Belmont then tabbed consecutive shots, with one on target, in the next 10 minutes but were unable to take the lead.
In the 75th minute, the Bruins were awarded a penalty kick, as Shaw netted his first goal of the season to give Belmont a 2-1 advantage late. Following nearly 15 minutes of back-and-forth action, UNC Greensboro were awarded a penalty kick of their own.
With just two seconds left, the Spartans were given a penalty kick, as sophomore forward Mani Austmann found the back of the net to send the match to extra time. In extra time, Collomb scored the golden goal to give UNC Greensboro the 3-2 overtime victory.
Overall, the Bruins finished with seven shots and five on frame, while the Spartans led by a 9-0 margin in corner kick attempts and tabbed 12 shots on target. Barks and Shaw each registered their first goals of the season in Saturday's loss.
ROAD WARRIORS: Despite its loss on Saturday, Belmont finished with an impressive 3-1-1 mark in road matches in the 2021 spring season.
SPREADING THE WEALTH: With two different goal scorers against UNC Greensboro, eight separate Bruins have scored at least one of Belmont's 15 goals this year.
UP NEXT: The Bruins return home to host Furman on March 30 and Mercer on April 3 to wrap up the regular season.
