Men's Soccer Suffers 1-0 Setback Versus Bradley Saturday Evening

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Playing its third consecutive single-goal match, the Belmont University men's soccer team was handed a 1-0 loss Saturday evening by Bradley University in Missouri Valley Conference action at E.S. Rose Park. The Bruins (2-6-3, 0-3-1 MVC) failed to find the back of the net for their fourth-straight outing and once again, were unable to convert on second-half chances.
 
The visiting Braves (4-6-1, 1-3-0 MVC) scored 12 minutes into the second half and held off Belmont down the stretch.
 
After not earning a corner kick in the first half, the Bruins totaled six across the final 30 minutes. Belmont placed two shots on goal in each half as both teams finished with eight total shots, including four on target.
 
The Bruins didn't record a shot in the opening 24 minutes before their first real opportunity in the 26th minute. Senior captain midfielder AJ Chastonay hit the bottom right woodwork after making a move on Bradley's goalkeeper before redshirt junior forward Jimiyu Mark nearly punched it in on the rebound. However, Mark's shot was saved by the Braves' Jaime Ponce inside the six.
 
In the second half, Bradley midfielder Joao Saraiva placed a free kick in the box. Following a header into the air by forward Mitch Coughlon, defender Charlie Dickerson headed the ball over to an open Ian Ferguson, who headed the ball in. The 57th-minute score would be the difference in the Music City.
 
Belmont had one last promising look in the 68th minute, followed by a trio of Bruin corners. Making his first appearance of the season, graduate forward Case Cox all but headed the ball into goal on a free kick from junior midfielder Brad Dildy. The well-placed ball from about 25 yards out and Cox's subsequent header was saved by the Braves' Drew Berry in the lower left of goal. Belmont was unable to get off a shot on its ensuing three corners.
 
The Bruins didn't concede a corner kick in the second half.
 
 Graduate goalkeeper Grant Calvert and Bradley's Berry each made a trio of saves.
 
Of Note

• Belmont has lost back-to-back matches at Rose Park for the first time since 2019.
• The loss is only the Bruins' third at home in four seasons.
• Belmont is on its first four-match losing streak since 2019.
• The Bruins drop to 3-5-1 all-time versus the Braves.
• Belmont men's soccer alumni were honored on the field at halftime for alumni night.
• Redshirt freshman defender Dru Stanton made his first career start.

Up Next
The Bruins step back out of MVC play Tuesday night when they host NCAA Division III Covenant College. Kickoff from Rose Park is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Next Saturday, Belmont hosts receiving-votes Missouri State. All Bruin 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.