Box Score GREENVILLE, S.C. – Splitting a pair of penalty kicks, the Belmont University men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision at Furman University Saturday evening in the Bruins' first Southern Conference road affair of the season.
Both teams benefited from a PK goal but the host Paladins (2-5-0, 1-1-0) scored in the 58th minute for what proved to be the difference. Trailing 2-0, Belmont (4-3-1, 1-1-0) made it a one-goal match in the 70th minute with senior forward Niccolo Dagnoni's third goal of the fall on a PK.
Following just over 25-and-a-half minutes of play, Furman took a 1-0 advantage when a foul was called inside the 18 on a Paladin attack. Furman forward Jake Raine found the back of the net on the PK as the Paladins controlled the majority of the opening 45 minutes.
Sophomore midfielder AJ Chastonay nearly put the visiting Bruins in front with a pair of first-half shots, the first of which was on goal just two minutes in. Senior defender John Bannec had a great look at an equalizing header just before halftime, but his shot went wide left barely out of Chastonay's reach by the lower left post.
In a match that saw only four total corner kicks, Belmont earned one in each half in the 23rd minute and the 90th. Both were quickly dispatched from the box. The Bruins notched five shots in each half, while Furman posted six in both periods of play.
Paladin midfielder Jacob Garzon received a pass just outside the six-yard box and capitalized in the 58th after midfielder Conor Dowler kept the ball off the touchline and sent it in.
With sophomore midfielder Michael Saunders getting a couple of opportunities in the second half, it was sophomore forward Esteban Leiva who drew the foul inside the penalty box on a one-on-one breakaway in the 70th. Dagnoni stepped up for his second PK of the season and calmly sent a laser into the lower right net.
Senior goalkeeper Drew Romig and Belmont's defense fended off a few strong attacks by Furman in the final 20 minutes as the Paladins collected their first corner in the 77th. Despite gaining possession in the attacking third, the Bruins weren't able to put a shot on goal in the closing minutes.
The Paladins committed 21 total fouls, compared to 15 by Belmont, and received four yellow cards. Senior midfielder/defender Jack Shaw was carded in the 35th.
Of Note
Now 2-for-2 on PKs this fall, Dagnoni registered his 15th career goal. He is now tied with Dan Meacock (2008-11) for the fifth-most goals in program history. The Milan, Italy, native now owns 48 career points and is in sole possession of third place among the Bruins' all-time points leaders.
Up Next
Belmont wraps up September play this Wednesday when the Bruins step out of league play and host ASUN Conference member Bellarmine. Kickoff from Rose Park is slated for 6:30 p.m. with the match broadcast on ESPN+.
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