JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Despite a trio of first-half goals and a 3-2 lead at the break, the Belmont University men's soccer team was defeated 4-3 Saturday evening at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. The host Buccaneers (3-3-0) scored twice in the second half at Summers-Taylor Stadium as Belmont (2-3-1) was unable to find the equalizer in the closing minutes.
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The Bruins led twice in the match, including scoring the opening goal, thanks to finishes by sophomore midfielder
Paul Claes Nielsen and freshman defender
Zain Abdelhadi.
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ETSU placed eight of its 12 second-half shots on target and finished with 19 total shots, 10 of which were on goal. After placing four of its six first-half shots on target, Belmont didn't have a second-half shot on goal until the 73rd minute. Only two of the Bruins' second-half shots were on goal and Belmont's lone corner kick of the contest didn't come until the 88th minute.
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Sophomore forward Jaxon Stoke appeared to score the first goal of the evening a little under 15 minutes in, but the Bruins were deemed to be offside on the play after a challenge by the Buccaneers and a video review. Less than a minute of action later, Claes Nielsen found the back of the net to put Belmont up for certain. A misplay by ETSU led to a right-footed strike by Claes Nielsen from well outside the 18-yard box.
The Buccaneers quickly responded in the 18th minute with ETSU midfielder Caleb Powell evening the score.
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In the 30th minute, the Buccaneers claimed their first lead when ETSU forward Gavin Dick made it 2-1 for the home team.
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A little over a minute later, the Bruins equalized. Sophomore defender
Palmer Hendrix played a beautiful cross from the right corner to fifth-year defender
Nate Mefford, who one-touched it into the back of the net at the six-yard line.
In the 37th minute, it was Abdelhadi who gave Belmont its last lead. Hendrix once again made a spectacular pass from deep in the right corner, crossing the ball on the ground and finding Abdelhadi at the top left corner of the goal area. Punching it in with his left, Abdelhadi scored his first collegiate goal to make it 3-2 Bruins.
The Buccaneers tied things up once more in the 57th minute on a goal by ETSU forward Jaime Carrillo.
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Moments later in the 61st minute following a called foul on Belmont about 28 yards out, the Buccaneers took the lead for good. ETSU midfielder Joe Gonzalez took the free kick and landed it in the right side of the goal.
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The Buccaneers controlled much of the last 20 minutes, but the Bruins created four legitimate chances. However, Claes Nielsen, graduate midfielder
John McDowell, junior midfielder
Emmanuel Aranda, and graduate captain midfielder
Ethan Schlegel all came up empty on opportunities.
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Of Note
- Eight different Belmont players have scored a goal this season.
- Claes Nielsen tallied his team-leading third goal of the season. It was his fourth career score.
- Mefford scored his second goal of the season, joining Claes Nielsen and McDowell (2) as Bruins with multiple goals this year.
- Mefford is now Belmont's active career leader in goals (5).
- Hendrix's two assists are his first career points.
Up Next
The Bruins return to match play in Music City next weekend, hosting Southern Indiana Friday night. Kickoff from E.S. Rose Park is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and the non-conference home match will be broadcast on
ESPN+. Admission to all soccer matches at Rose Park is free.
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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.
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#ItsBruinTime
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