NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A deep, near-upper 90 goal with just over a minute left led to an unlikely outcome Friday night at E.S. Rose Park as Northern Illinois stole a 1-0 victory against the Belmont University men's soccer team. Despite tallying a season-high 16 shots, including 14 in the second half, the back of the net eluded the Bruins (4-8-3, 1-5-1 MVC) in the Missouri Valley Conference home tilt.
Belmont controlled much of the match, especially in the second half where the Bruins created plenty of chances. Four of Belmont's five shots on target took place in the second 45 minutes of action. The Bruins also hit the woodwork and came within inches on an open shot in the 67th minute.
The visiting Huskies (3-11, 1-5-0 MVC), who entered the weekend winless in MVC play, were able to capitalize on their final shot on goal and held on in the closing seconds.
Northern Illinois midfielder Grant Paskus took a swing when he saw an opening from about 24 yards out following a pass from fellow midfielder Joe Hernandez. He placed a well-struck ball right under the crossbar on the right side of the goal. His 89th-minute score came with only 71 seconds remaining on the clock.
Prior to Paskus' goal, sophomore defender
Griffin Moore nearly headed it in but hit the top woodwork on a corner kick with just over three minutes to go.
Right in front of the six-yard box with just under 10 minutes left, senior captain midfielder
AJ Chastonay headed the ball barely over the crossbar. The miss was only one of many close calls for Belmont late.
On the left side of goal, junior defender
Dylan Steely had a left-footed boot off a free kick that nearly ran parallel with the far post. Moments later still in the 67th minute, Chastonay took the ball away from the Huskies and launched a shot on target from well outside the penalty area.
The Bruins' five shots on goal also tied a season high.
Northern Illinois finished with nine shots, five of which were on target.
Belmont had only two shots in the first half.
For the second consecutive match, graduate goalkeeper
Grant Calvert came up with four saves.
The Huskies' Atahan Arslan made five saves in front of goal.
Of Note
- The Bruins' four losses at Rose Park this season are the most since 2016.
- Northern Illinois moves to 2-0 all-time versus Belmont, both 1-0 wins.
- Six of the Bruins' last seven outings have been single-goal matches.
Up Next
Belmont closes out the home portion of the regular season Tuesday when it hosts in-town rival Lipscomb for the 27th Battle of the Boulevard. Kickoff from Rose Park is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The Bruins' seven-man senior class will be honored prior to the match for senior night. The match is also a white out and fans are encouraged to wear white. All Belmont home matches are 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
