NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Extending its unbeaten streak to a program-record tying seven matches, the Belmont University men's soccer team shut out the University of Evansville in a scoreless draw Wednesday night at E.S. Rose Park in the Music City. The Bruins, who earned their second consecutive Missouri Valley Conference tie at home, defended their goal but couldn't find the back of the net in a grueling affair.
Graduate goalkeeper
Nate Logan came up with four saves and Belmont's back line proved tried and true against the visiting Purple Aces (4-2-3, 1-1-1 MVC).
Defending seven Evansville corner kicks, the Bruins (5-1-4, 2-0-2 MVC) lined six of their nine shots on target but the Purple Aces' Alex Vidizzoni was a formidable foe between the pipes.
In a physical contest that witnessed 18 combined fouls, Belmont did an excellent job thwarting Evansville's chances and gave up little inside its box. The Bruins threatened late in the first half and nearly headed a goal in with only minutes remaining. Earning opportunities on counter-attacks, Belmont seemed poised for a late-match goal. However, the Purple Aces defended well and did not concede on the Bruins' set pieces.
Junior midfielder
Michael Saunders nearly laced in a left-footed strike in the 27th minute and senior midfielder
Jansen Wilson had a free kick tipped out in the 42nd minute.
Belmont put together a trio of great looks in the final 25 minutes as senior defender
John Bannec's header in the 68th minute went wide right and Wilson's chip shot in the 83rd minute was fielded by Evansville's Vidizzoni. Perhaps the Bruins' most promising opportunity of the evening came in the 87th minute when junior midfielder
Eric Stiles raced to the six-yard box and rose up for a header off a service from Wilson.
The Purple Aces almost scored following a free kick in the closing five minutes, but midfielder Jose Vivas' left-footed shot sailed just high with four-and-a-half minutes to go.
Wilson (3) and Saunders (2) accounted for five of Belmont's six shots on goal.
Vidizzoni finished with six saves for Evansville.
Of Note
Logan registered his fourth clean sheet of the season. The shutout is the Bruins' ninth at home and 13th overall in two seasons. Belmont pushed its home unbeaten streak, which dates back to March 30, 2021, to 16. Getting a result in 18 of their last 20 home matches, the Bruins are 20-7-7 at Rose Park since the start of the 2018 season. Belmont has outscored its opponents 24-8 during its home undefeated streak.
Up Next
The Bruins begin a three-match road swing Sunday at 19th-ranked Missouri State. Kickoff from Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium is slated for 2 p.m. with the MVC matinee match broadcast on ESPN3.
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