Box Score Nashville, Tenn. -- Belmont University defeats conference matchup Austin Peay University in an exciting 2-0 win. A fantastic start 2-0 to the conference season.
Back at home field E.S. Rose Park tonight and the Bruins put on a show for Music City. Maintaining possession for the majority of the match, the Bruins did not let up and most of the play was in the Governor's half.
"I thought we did a really great job of looking to connect the ball quicker, looking to switch the point of attack, and breaking lines quicker. We did a much better job at playing faster and making quicker decisions." Head Coach Heather Henson on the Bruin's performance.
The first shot of the match came from Haley Poynter in the 12th minute hitting the crossbar. The Bruins recorded five of their nine shots in the first half.
Andrea Leitner recorded her third shutout of the season and the second of conference play after being named OVC Goalkeeper of the week last week. The Governor's tested goalie Andrea Leitner with three shots in the first eighteen minutes of the match but none to follow for the rest of the half. A true testament to the possession that the Bruins had in tonight's match.
Heading into the second half the Bruins were ready to score, you could feel it in the air. With four more shots in the second half to add to the Bruins nine total shots
In the 66th minute of the match the first goal of the match was sent into the box by a beautiful cross from Leah Firsdon, it was then headed down by Summer Curtis to the feet of Natalie Haverland sending it past the Governors goalkeeper. This was Haverland's first goal of the season.
Ten minutes later the second goal of the night was scored by Mai Thy Nguyen off of a cross by Haley Poynter. Poynter's cross went across the box taking the Govoner's goalie off her line leaving Nguyen with the perfect opportunity to score. This was also Nguyen's first goal of the season for the Bruins. An important game for both Haverland and Nguyen to step up and score for the Bruins in conference play.
Leitner ended the match with three saves and a 3-1-1 record. The Bruins tallied nine shots, and three corners against the Governors.
"Starting 2-0 in conference play it's always great. To get those three points and find your way to get six points in the first two games, it continues to build that momentum. We realize that every game is going to be a battle, everybody is fighting for their three points. To be 2-0 at this point in the season is a great start for us and we know we have to keep building upon it."
Music was not the loudest sound in Nashville competing with the voices from the Bruin bench.
"I thought everybody who was a part of the game tonight, the players who were on the field, as well as the players who didn't have that opportunity tonight, they all bought in, they all brought the energy. It helped to lift eachother up. You could see that from the cheering of the goals, but you could see it from the cheering of the great moments on the field. I'm so proud of where our team is at with our culture and that just helps our momentum.
What's Next:
The Bruins hit the road in conference matchup against Tennessee Tech University on Sunday at 6 p.m.
Follow Belmont women's soccer on social media - @BelmontWSoccer on Twitter and @belmont.wsoccer 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.
#ItsBruinTime
