Men's Soccer Earns Road Result in Season Opener at Georgia State

ATLANTA – Beginning its 2024 season with a road result at Sun Belt Conference member Georgia State, the Belmont University men's soccer team earned a scoreless draw Thursday evening at the Georgia State Soccer Complex in Atlanta. The Bruins dominated the match, keeping the ball in the Panthers' half much of the night and outshooting the hosts 14-5.
 
Belmont had multiple chances early and finished with four shots on target, while limiting Georgia State to a single shot on goal. Totaling 11 corner kicks, the Bruins registered six corners in the second half.
 
Consecutive strikes by junior midfielder Oscar Hough in the opening 12 minutes appeared to be promising and set the tone early.
 
A 36th-minute header from junior forward Brock Kiper came within inches of putting Belmont ahead 1-0 as his shot collided with the top of the woodwork.
 
Kiper had a great look early in the second half, but his 49th-minute boot was met with a diving save by the Panthers' keeper Josh Hangi.
 
During a just over 12-minute stretch from the 58th minute to the 70th, the Bruins put together six shots off five corners.
 
In the 90th minute, senior midfielder AJ Chastonay had one final opportunity for Belmont. He collected the ball outside the 18-yard box before launching it toward goal, however, his attempt sailed high right.
 
Hough and Kiper both posted a trio of shots.
 
Georgia State's Hangi came up with four saves.

?? | Senior captain midfielder Rubyn Singh Gill following the Bruins' season opener at Georgia State in the ATL ??#ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/Da9v5Z3B5H

— Belmont Men's Soccer (@BelmontMSoccer) August 23, 2024

Of Note

• The Bruins improve to 3-1-2 in season openers under sixth-year head coach David Costa.
• Belmont earns its first result against the Panthers in Atlanta since 2017.
• The Bruins move to 6-10-1 all-time versus Georgia State.
• Junior midfielder Brad Dildy, redshirt junior forward Jimiyu Mark and Hough all made their first Belmont starts. 

Up Next
The Bruins welcome Southern Indiana to E.S. Rose Park Sunday for Belmont's home opener. Kickoff from the Music City is slated for 6 p.m. 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.