Bruins Fall at Top-25 Western Michigan Friday Afternoon

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – For the second-straight weekend, the Belmont University men's soccer team was held scoreless on the road in Missouri Valley Conference action. On Friday afternoon, 23rd-ranked Western Michigan handed the visiting Bruins (8-6-2, 3-4-0 MVC) a 5-0 loss at the WMU Soccer Complex in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
 
Closing out its road portion of the regular season, Belmont found itself trailing within the opening minute of play and couldn't overcome a four-goal first half by the host Broncos (12-1-3, 6-0-1 MVC).
 
Western Michigan's high-octane offense, which ranks among national leaders in both goals and assists, scored early and often to mount a 4-0 advantage within the first 31 minutes. In fact, it took the Broncos just 58 seconds to place their first ball in the back of the net. Western Michigan midfielder Carson Hodgson broke free early and laced a strike from just outside the top left corner of the six-yard box to the back right corner of goal.
 
A little over eight minutes later, Hodgson struck again. He scored on a rebound off the right post to put the home team up 2-0. In the 21st minute, Bronco forward Charlie Sharp made it a 3-0 match.
 
Graduate midfielder Jansen Wilson created a great opportunity for the Bruins in the 25th minute, but Western Michigan keeper Ethan Brandt kept Belmont off the scoresheet with a lunging save at the top of the goal area.
 
Just past the 30th minute, the Broncos' Dylan Sing sprinted down the center on a fastbreak and received a pass from Hodgson at the top of the penalty area. He knocked in Western Michigan's fourth goal of the afternoon as the Bruins continued to search for an answer.
 
Seven of the Broncos' 10 first-half shots were on target, while only two of Belmont's five shots in the first stanza were on goal.
 
The Bruins were able to slow down the match in the second half and limited Western Michigan to three shots on target and only one corner kick.
 
Belmont threatened in the 64th minute when Wilson launched a long free kick from well outside the 18-yard box toward goal and struck the left woodwork.
 
The Broncos were awarded a penalty kick in the 74th minute and Sing converted for his second goal of the day.
 
Despite earning four corners in the final 16 minutes, the Bruins placed only two shots on frame.
 
Junior goalkeeper Grant Calvert finished with five saves.
 
Of Note
- Belmont has been shut out in back-to-back matches for the second time this season after dropping 2-0 and 1-0 decisions, respectfully, to the University of Illinois Chicago (Sept. 16) and at top-10 ranked Missouri State (Sept. 22).
- The five goals conceded are the most by the Bruins since a 5-0 defeat at UNC Wilmington on Oct. 13, 2018.
- Belmont falls to 3-5 in true road matches this season.
- Friday afternoon was the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
- With the win, Western Michigan clinched the 2023 MVC regular season title.
- Redshirt freshman midfielder Simeon Betapudi made his first career appearance.
 
Up Next
The Bruins wrap up the regular season at home next Wednesday against the University of Evansville. Kickoff from E.S. Rose Park is slated for 6:30 p.m. with the Valley matchup broadcast on ESPN+.
 
Follow Belmont men's soccer on social media – @BelmontMSoccer on Twitter, @belmontmsoccer on Instagram and Belmont University Men's Soccer on Facebook – 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.