DES MOINES, Iowa – Making their first-ever trip to Des Moines, Iowa, the Belmont University men's soccer team was handed a 2-0 setback by Drake University in Missouri Valley Conference action Saturday afternoon. In the middle of their challenging three-game road swing, the Bruins (5-3-4, 2-2-2 MVC) were unable to find the back of the net for the third-straight outing despite controlling the field for much of the second half.
The Bulldogs (5-2-3, 3-1-0 MVC) scored in the 23rd minute and the 79th minute as Belmont struggled to hold possession for a lengthy amount of time and Drake capitalized on a pair of chances.
With their trademark disciplined play, the Bruins were well balanced to begin the match and created opportunities throughout. Junior defender
Case Cox nearly put Belmont on the scoreboard twice, but the Bulldogs had an answer for every Bruin attack.
Belmont had high-quality chances in the opening 15 minutes, including a well-timed cross from junior midfielder
Michael Saunders to junior attacking midfielder
AJ Chastonay that sailed just high.
In the 22nd-minute, Drake threatened with a shot off the foot of forward Leroy Enzugusi hitting the lower left woodwork. Moments later, the Bulldogs scored on the first corner kick of the match. Midfielder Damian Segura connected with defender Brennan Rzewuski in the 23rd minute to give the home team a 1-nil lead.
The Bruins were limited to just two first-half shots, neither of which were on target.
In the attacking third for much of the first 30 minutes of the second half, Belmont seemed poised for an equalizer. Only 30 seconds into the second half senior midfielder
Jansen Wilson had a look at goal before Saunders and Chastonay posted shots in the 59th and 62nd minutes. With about 25 minutes to go Chastonay found Cox one-on-one with Drake goalkeeper Jonathan Burke inside the six-yard box, but Cox couldn't work his way around before the ball was smothered by Burke.
A deflection in the 79th minute led to the Bulldogs' second goal of the afternoon when passes by midfielder Timmy Browning and Enzugusi eventually found an open Sam Thornton in front of the net.
The Bruins had three shots in the final 11 minutes, including a header by Cox that was saved by a stretching Burke.
Both teams tallied six shots in the second 45 minutes of play.
Five of Drake's 10 shots on the day were on goal and the Bulldogs earned five corners, compared to Belmont's three.
Graduate keeper
Nate Logan made two saves and the match saw eight combined yellow cards, including seven in the second half. Drake accounted for six of the eight cards.
Of Note
Saturday's matchup was a meeting of regionally-ranked teams as the Bruins entered the weekend ranked seventh in the United Soccer Coaches West Region poll and the Bulldogs ninth. Drake improves to 3-0 all-time versus Belmont. The Bulldogs surpass the Bruins in the MVC standings with nine points, while Belmont owns eight points in the league. Both squads sit behind nationally-ranked Missouri State.
Up Next
The Bruins close out their three-match road stretch next Wednesday with a non-conference tilt at ASUN Conference member Bellarmine. Kickoff from Owsley B. Frazier Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, is slated for 5:30 p.m. CT/6:30 p.m. ET with the match broadcast on ESPN+.
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