Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont men's soccer extended its unbeaten streak to four matches with a 2-1 road victory over the Trevecca Nazarene Knights Saturday afternoon at Trevecca Soccer Complex.
The Bruins (3-0-1) were led by a 66th minute goal from junior forward Ares Marlonsson, as the Knights (1-1) surrendered an own goal in the 84th minute.
Trevecca's lone goal came in the 10th minute via senior forward Yared Ambaw, as it went down as the team's only shot on target.
Following a Belmont corner kick in the ninth minute, the Knights took an early one-goal lead on Ambaw's 10th-minute goal, which was serviced by junior midfielder Pablo Martin. The Bruins got back to work quick with another corner kick in the 13th minute.
Belmont's first shot of the afternoon from junior forward Liam O'Brien was blocked in the 16th minute, as 15 minutes of scoreless action followed. The Bruins were awarded a penalty kick in the 29th minute, but junior forward Niccolo Dagnoni's attempt was saved by the Trevecca keeper.
In the next 10 minutes, Belmont would see a pair of shot attempts from the midfielder duo of freshman AJ Chastonay and sophomore Tanner Carlson. Both shots, which were fired in the 37th and 39th minute respectively, fell off target.
The Bruins went on the offensive to wrap up the first 45 minutes, as senior midfielder Nigel Leo's second shot of the season was saved by the Knights goalkeeper in the 44th minute.
At the half, Belmont stilled trailed by a one-goal margin despite five shots, two shots on target and a trio of corner kicks.
Within the first eight minutes of the second half, the Bruins earned three corner kicks, none of which produced goals. Belmont went on to be awarded two more corner kicks before finally breaking through in the 66th minute.
Marlonsson scored the equalizer for the Bruins with 24 minutes left in regulation on O'Brien's second assist of the season. Belmont continued to apply pressure with yet another corner kick in the 75th minute.
In the 84th minute, Trevecca allowed an own-goal that would be the eventual match-decider, as the Bruins recorded their second road victory of the season.
Overall, Belmont finished with seven total shots and four shots on goal, while senior goalkeeper Drew Romig recorded his first-career win as a Bruin. Additionally, Marlonssons' goal marked the eighth of his career and first of the spring 2021 season.
STILL UNBEATEN: Belmont is undefeated in its first four matches of the year, which sets a record for the longest unbeaten streak to start a season in program history.
COLLECTING CORNERS: The Bruins collected a total of 10 corner attempts against the Knights, seven of which came in the second half of action. Prior to Saturday, they had registered just eight corner kicks through their first three matches.
O'BRIEN ON FIRE: Junior forward Liam O'Brien is currently the team leader in goals (3), tied for the team-high in assists (2) and is among conference leaders in total points (8).
UP NEXT: Belmont hits the road to face the Wofford Terriers to begin Southern Conference play on Saturday, March 13 at 10 a.m.
