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Dylan_Steely_vs_MissouriState2024
Emma Moore
2
Winner Missouri St. MSU (8-2-1, 4-0-1)
1
Belmont BEL (3-7-3, 0-4-1)
Winner
Missouri St. MSU
(8-2-1, 4-0-1)
2
Final
1
Belmont BEL
(3-7-3, 0-4-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Missouri St. MSU 2 0 2
Belmont BEL 0 1 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Men's Soccer Edged 2-1 by 17th-Ranked Missouri State Saturday Evening at Rose Park

Junior Defender Dylan Steely Scores in the 58th Minute in MVC Setback

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The nation's No. 17 team scored two first-half goals within 40 seconds of each other, and it proved to be enough as Missouri State escaped E.S. Rose Park with a 2-1 win over the Belmont University men's soccer team Saturday evening in the Music City. Junior defender Dylan Steely got the Bruins (3-7-3, 0-4-1 MVC) back in the match 13 minutes into the second half but the visiting Bears (8-2-1, 4-0-1 MVC) held on to remain atop of the Missouri Valley Conference standings.
 
Both teams were extremely efficient in their attacks with only two combined shots on target not resulting in a goal. Missouri State went 2-for-3 on its shots on goal, while Belmont was 1-for-2.
 
The Bruins put together chances in the second half with four corner kicks and four total shots after having only one real opportunity in the first 45 minutes.
 
A set piece just outside the penalty area in the 17th minute nearly gave Belmont a lead, but senior defender Alex Clayton's free kick sailed over the crossbar.
 
It would be the Bears' James Jennings who would account for both of Missouri State's goals in rapid succession. His brace was the difference in the match with back-to-back strikes in the 28th and 29th minutes.
 
On a feed from the Bears' Adrián Esteban, Jennings put the visitors up 1-0. Only 36 seconds later, Jennings once again found the back of the net on another pass from Esteban. This time bending it in from outside the 18-yard box.
 
Redshirt sophomore defender Nate Mefford put the Bruins in position to score after 10 minutes of action in the second half. Earning two of three consecutive corners for Belmont, it was Mefford's second corner earned that resulted in Steely's 58th-minute goal.
 
Junior midfielder Brad Dildy connected with Steely on the Bruins' third corner of the night, placing the ball in the box for Steely to sky above everyone and head it in. In the 81st minute, graduate forward Case Cox nearly pulled off a remarkable equalizing goal with a bicycle kick on target. Belmont had one last chance to come away with a draw in the 90th minute on a deep ball into the box from Clayton. However, Steely's header on Clayton's pass was well off to the right.
 
Of Note
  • The Bruins scored their first goal against Missouri State since 2021.
  • Steely's goal was just Belmont's second in MVC play this season.
  • The loss is only the Bruins' fourth at Rose Park in four seasons.
  • Steely scored his fifth career goal and first of the season.
  • Dildy notched his first assist donning the Belmont jersey. He owns a team-best 11 career assists.
Up Next
Following their four-match homestand, the Bruins hit the road next weekend when they travel to the Windy City to face the University of Illinois Chicago on Friday night. Kickoff from Flames Field is scheduled for 7 p.m. The MVC road matchup will be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
How to Follow
Follow Belmont men's soccer on social media – @BelmontMSoccer on X, formerly 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.
 
#ItsBruinTime
 
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