Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A script could not be written for Belmont University men's soccer's Friday night. A double overtime thriller and a third-straight victory at E.S. Rose Park thanks senior forward Liam O'Brien's brace and golden goal diving header in the 105th minute.
Closing out their three-game homestand without a blemish, the Bruins improved to 3-2-0 on the season and a perfect 3-0-0 at home following a very tightly-contested 2-1 win over visiting Georgia State. Perhaps the highest level of soccer the Bruins have played thus far this season, Belmont prevailed in 15 minutes of extra time.
The triumph marked the Bruins' first win over the Panthers (3-2-0) in Nashville since October of 2015.
A set piece in the first half led to Belmont's first score of the night when senior forward Niccolo Dagnoni launched a ball into the box for O'Brien in the 23rd minute. Off a free kick due to a Georgia State foul outside the upper left of the penalty box, O'Brien found himself in position for a header on the right-hand side of the goal. With a stiff thrust at the ball, Dagnoni's pass ricocheted off O'Brien's head and straight into the back of the net.
The opening 45 minutes of action saw just four combined shots as the Bruins held the Panthers to only one shot on goal in the first half. In the closing minute of the half, Georgia State head coach Brett Surrency received the first of three Panther yellow cards.
Belmont's momentum, however, would quickly be subsided by an equalizing goal in the 53rd minute. The visitors scored their lone goal of the night on a left-to-right cross by forward Salar Faryar and a right-footed strike by midfielder Bryan Silva.
Tallying seven second-half shots, the Bruins had a couple of opportunities to re-take the lead in the final 20 minutes of regulation. None were closer than sophomore forward Esteban Leiva's shot on target in the 82nd minute off a corner kick from Dagnoni.
The match could not have been more evenly played through the first 90 minutes with neither team capitalizing on hard-fought opportunities in the attacking third of the field. Getting its first overtime test of the season, Belmont passed.
Despite fatigue beginning to set in for both squads, the Bruins' defense showed no signs of backing down. A grueling 10 minutes of extra time went by with Belmont and Georgia State combining for just two shots, neither of which were on goal. Sophomore midfielder Michael Saunders nearly found a way to end the match in the 98th minute, a blast off his right foot somehow dodging the left post from just outside the upper right corner of the penalty box.
Notching a trio of shots in the second overtime period, the determined Bruins would not be denied. After sophomore defender Case Cox's header went just left of the goal on a corner, the Panthers had their final chance of the night just inside the 103rd minute. Retaining possession following a blocked O'Brien shot, Saunders came up with a beautiful one-touch pass to senior midfielder/defender Jack Shaw on the right side of the penalty box. Swiftly waiting for O'Brien to get into position, Shaw delivered an absolute dime to O'Brien on a cross. A full-extension diving header by O'Brien from just inside the left portion of the goal area resulted in the game winner.
Belmont finished with 14 total shots and eight corners, four of which came in the first half. Georgia State was limited to two shots in extra time, both of which were off target.
O'Brien accounted for a career-best five shots, while Panther goalkeeper Gunther Rankenburg made three saves.
Of Note
The Bruins have now put together a three-game win streak for the second consecutive season. Friday night was O'Brien's second brace and golden goal of his career. He also scored twice with the game winner in the 105th minute against Lipscomb this past spring, propelling Belmont to an identical 2-1 double overtime victory in the Battle of the Boulevard on March 2 at Rose Park. Shaw and Saunders' assists on O'Brien's golden goal were their firsts of the season. Dagnoni's assist on O'Brien's first-half goal was his third of the season as he has assisted on a goal in each of the Bruins' last three matches. With 18 career assists, Dagnoni is now seven away from tying all-time program leader Nico Olsak (2010-13). He now owns 44 career points, which moves him into sole possession of fifth place among Belmont's all-time points leaders.
Up Next
The 24th Battle of the Boulevard will commence next Tuesday, Sept. 14 when the Bruins travel down the boulevard to face nationally-ranked Lipscomb. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
