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HOME OF the BELMONT BRUINS
MSoccer_Senior_Night2026
Millie Callahan
1
Western Mich. WMU (4-8-5, 1-1-3)
1
Belmont BEL (6-5-4, 2-1-2)
Western Mich. WMU
(4-8-5, 1-1-3)
1
Final
1
Belmont BEL
(6-5-4, 2-1-2)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Mich. WMU 1 0 1
Belmont BEL 0 1 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Bruins Earn 1-1 Draw with Western Michigan Friday Night at Rose Park

Men’s Soccer Extends Home Unbeaten Streak to Seven with Result

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A 67th-minute equalizer from sophomore midfielder Paul Claes Nielsen and a strong second half of play earned the Belmont University men's soccer team a 1-1 draw with Western Michigan Friday night in the Bruins' regular season home finale at E.S. Rose Park. Belmont (6-5-4, 2-1-2 MVC) fought back from an early 1-0 deficit as the visiting Broncos (4-8-5, 1-1-3 MVC) scored a little over 10 minutes into the match.
 
After being outshot 13-6 in the first half, the Bruins outshot Western Michigan 12-6 across the last 45 minutes of play. Belmont also earned six second-half corner kicks while allowing only two Bronco corners in the second half.
 
The tightly-contested Missouri Valley Conference matchup featured 17 combined shots on target with the Bruins placing nine of their 18 total shots on goal.
 
A shot by Western Michigan forward Sahel Yessen was blocked in the 11th minute, but Yessen's attempt allowed the Broncos' Kyle Pierson to take a stab at goal. Finding the back of the net, Pierson put the visitors up and gave Western Michigan all the early momentum.
 
Belmont came out in the second half determined to threaten and maintain possession. In the final 30 minutes, the Bruins began to break down the Broncos' back line. Creating chances in the box, Belmont had very strong opportunities to score in the 64th and 66th minutes.
 
Claes Nielsen wasn't quite able to get past Western Michigan goalkeeper Alex Lindewirth deep in the box, before senior forward Lucas Wolthers barely missed a connection on an open cross from the right side. However, Claes Nielsen would capitalize on his next moment.
 
Graduate midfielder John McDowell found Claes Nielsen in stride from around midfield and Claes Nielsen was able to drive into the penalty area, where he elegantly placed the ball past the Broncos' Lindewirth with a touch of his left foot. Claes Nielsen's equalizing goal was his fifth of the season, moving into a tie with McDowell for the team lead.
 
Minutes after Claes Nielsen's equalizer, sophomore midfielder Nzuhri Biggar nearly put the Bruins in front with a diving header.
 
Belmont had a trio of shots in the closing minutes and freshman goalkeeper Brody Sucher scooped up a last-second outside strike by Western Michigan midfielder Braden Stevanovic.
 
Sucher finished with six saves in front of goal, and the Broncos' Lindewirth made eight stops. Of Note
  • The result extends the Bruins' home unbeaten streak to seven matches.
  • Belmont is 4-0-3 at Rose Park following a regular season-opening home loss to Memphis.
  • The Bruins have earned a 1-1 draw with Western Michigan in each of their last three matches against the Broncos.
  • Claes Nielsen's goal was the sixth of his career. He is now tied with Wolthers and sophomore forward Jaxon Stokes for the second most among current Belmont players.
  • McDowell's assist on Claes Nielsen's equalizer was his team-leading fourth of the season.
  • Five Bruins were honored for senior night prior to the match — defender AJ Elliott, defender Nate Mefford, goalkeeper Jack Roach, defender Dru Stanton, and Wolthers.
  • Belmont will be either the No. 3, No. 4 or No. 5 seed for the upcoming MVC Championship. A result at Evansville Wednesday will guarantee the Bruins a top-four seed and first-round hosting responsibilities.
Up Next
Belmont closes out the regular season Wednesday at the University of Evansville. Kickoff from Arad McCutchan Stadium in Evansville, Indiana, is slated for 6 p.m. and the MVC road match will be broadcast on ESPN+. The 2026 MVC Championship will begin with first-round matches on either Saturday, Nov. 7 or Sunday, Nov. 8. The MVC Championship semifinals will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 11 with the title match set for Saturday, Nov. 14 or Sunday, Nov. 15.
 
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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