Men's Soccer Suffers First MVC Setback at Drake Sunday Afternoon

DES MOINES, Iowa – Facing its first road test in Missouri Valley Conference play this season, the Belmont University men's soccer team was unable to find its rhythm Sunday afternoon at Drake in Des Moines, Iowa. The Bruins fell to 2-3-3 on the season and 0-1-1 in league action with a 4-0 setback against the host Bulldogs (6-2-1, 2-0-0 MVC).
 
Remaining unbeaten at its new Mediacom Stadium this year, Drake found the back of the net twice in each half.
 
Despite earning five first-half corner kicks, Belmont was unable to capitalize. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs scored both of their first-half goals on set pieces.
 
In the 24th minute, Drake was awarded a free kick just outside the left-side penalty area and the Bulldogs' Jackson Kirsch placed the ball inside the far post to make it a 1-0 match.
 
Just over 20 minutes later in the 44th, Drake's Dalton Visconti scored the first of his two-goal afternoon off a corner kick that ricocheted off senior midfielder Eric Stiles and graduate goalkeeper Grant Calvert.
 
Both teams had two shots in the first half before the Bulldogs tallied nine second-half shots, five of which were on target.
 
Drake's third goal came on a counterattack in the 57th minute when Visconti scored his second goal on a well-timed cross from J.P. Pascarella.
 
Senior captain midfielder AJ Chastonay nearly put the Bruins on the board off a cross from junior midfielder Brad Dildy in the 66th minute, but his shot was just outside the right post.
 
The Bulldogs' Pascarella made it 4-0 early in the 79th minute with an upper 90 strike to the left corner from just outside the 18-yard box.
 
Belmont recorded only two shots in the second half and none in the final 24 minutes.
 
The Bruins gave up a season-high seven shots on goal.
 
Calvert made a trio of second-half saves.
 
Of Note

• Belmont has conceded four goals in a match only four times in the last six seasons.
• Drake has yet to allow a goal at home this season with four shutout wins.
• The Bruins fall to 1-4 all-time versus the Bulldogs.

Up Next
Belmont remains on the road next weekend and travels to Ohio next Friday to face Bowling Green. Kickoff from Cochrane Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio, is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT/7 p.m. ET. The MVC road match will be broadcast live on YouTube.
 
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.