NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Behind two second-half goals, the visiting Tigers of the University of Memphis defeated Belmont University men's soccer 2-0 in Thursday night's regular season opener at E.S. Rose Park in Nashville. The Tigers (1-0-0) scored in the 49th and 78th minutes and outshot the Bruins (0-1-0) 14-4.
 
Belmont was unable to place a shot on target for the duration of the 90 minutes, while Memphis tallied six shots on goal.
 
After a video review challenge by the Tigers in the first five minutes of the second half, Memphis was awarded a penalty kick due to a Leon De Ciccio handball in the box. The Tigers' Thomas Mancuso took the PK, but freshman goalkeeper Brody Sucher came up with an amazing save. However, Memphis' Renan Syrio was free on the rebound and punched it in from the right side for the opening goal.
 
In the 78th minute, the Tigers struck again with Memphis' Saad Chaouki finding the back of the net off his right foot.
 
The Bruins didn't have a second-half shot until the 72nd minute when sophomore midfielder Paul Claes Nielsen's header sailed high. Graduate midfielder Elijah John provided a deep feed into Claes Nielsen on the promising look.
 
Belmont earned a trio of corner kicks after the Tigers scored their second goal but couldn't produce any real chances.
 
Sucher recorded four saves in his debut.
 
Memphis totaled nine shots in the second half, five of which were on target.
 
Of Note

• The Bruins had gotten a result in each of their last four season openers.
• Prior to Thursday, Belmont had won five-straight home openers.
• The Tigers improve to 19-2-1 all-time versus the Bruins.

Up Next
Belmont travels to Wright State Sunday for a 5 p.m. CT/6 p.m. ET kickoff from Alumni Field at Rinzler Student Sports Complex in Dayton, Ohio. The road match will not be broadcast; however, live stats will be available at BelmontBruins.com.
 
How to Follow
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