NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The first career goal for sophomore forward
Brock Kiper proved to be the difference in Belmont University men's soccer's season opener versus Georgia State Thursday night at E.S. Rose Park. His header in the 37th minute was the lone goal of a sultry match that saw temperatures flirt with 100 degrees at kickoff.
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The Bruins (1-0) were dominant in the second half following Kipers' score and nearly added more goals in the closing 40 minutes. Inspired defensive play and the sure hands of starting goalkeeper
Grant Calvert ensured every Panther strike in the box was covered.
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Calvert finished with four saves in his second career start and Belmont's back line was tremendous, giving up just five shots on the night.
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Junior defender
Alex Johnson broke free on the edge early in the 37th minute and stayed in front of his defender before delivering in a cross with his left foot. Outside of the six-yard box, Kiper punched it in for the inaugural goal of 2023. The assist was Johnson's first of his career. Senior midfielder
AJ Chastonay was also credited with an assist for his excellent entry pass to Johnson.
 The Bruins tallied nine shots, including five on target, with graduate midfielder
Jansen Wilson accounting for a pair.
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Georgia State midfielder Justin McLean and defender Hideto Gondo both posted two shots on goal for the Panthers (0-1).
Of Note
- Belmont improves to 3-1-1 in season openers under the direction of fifth-year head coach
David Costa.
- The Bruins extend their home unbeaten streak, which dates back to March 30, 2021, to 19.
- Belmont has gotten a result in 21 of its last 23 matches at Rose Park.
- The Bruins have now outscored their opponents 27-8 during their home undefeated streak.
- Since the start of the 2018 season, Belmont is 22-7-8 at Rose Park.
- The Bruins have defeated Georgia State by a single goal in each of the last two meetings and are 6-10-0 all-time versus the Panthers.
- Junior midfielder
Rubyn Singh Gill, junior defender
Alex Clayton and junior forward
Jimiyu Mark made their Belmont debuts.
Up Next
The Bruins host American Athletic Conference member Florida Atlantic Sunday at 6 p.m. The weekend contest will be broadcast on
ESPN+.
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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 theÂ
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