NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Scoring at least four goals for the second time this season, the Belmont University men's soccer team put together a dominant performance against Southern Indiana Friday night at E.S. Rose Park in the Music City. Defeating the Screaming Eagles 4-1, the Bruins (3-3-1) scored a pair of goals in both halves and tallied a season-best 10 shots on goal.
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Not only was Belmont's offense clicking in the final 55 minutes of the match, but the Bruins' defense held Southern Indiana (0-4-3) to only one shot on target in live play.
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For the second time this year, Belmont overcame a 1-0 deficit as the Screaming Eagles took the lead in the 27th minute on a penalty kick.
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Southern Indiana forward Jimmy Murphy was fouled just inside the 18-yard box with just over 18 minutes to go in the first half, leading to midfielder Brian Novillo's go-ahead PK. However, the Bruins responded at the 35th-minute mark.
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Fifth-year defender
Nate Mefford scored on a header off a rebound following a shot by sophomore midfielder
Paul Claes Nielsen. About 90 seconds later, Belmont struck again.
In the 37th minute, freshman forward
Aiden Pierpoint received a long throw-in from senior defender
Dru Stanton and was nifty with his feet to get around the Screaming Eagles' goalkeeper. Finishing with his right, Pierpoint gave the Bruins the lead going into halftime.
Conceding just three shots and no shots on target in the second half, Belmont was determined to build a larger lead.
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It was graduate captain midfielder
Ethan Schlegel who delivered the most spectacular goal of the night in the 73rd minute. Receiving a pass from fellow graduate midfielder
John McDowell, Schlegel settled the ball and drilled it in from the top of the penalty arc for his first collegiate goal.
Not stopping there, the Bruins tacked on a fourth goal in the 78th minute thanks to sophomore forward
Jaxon Stokes. Making a great run, Stokes received a well-placed delivery from senior forward
Nathan Ferguson and finished near the center of the net for the last score.
Altogether, Belmont recorded 18 shots and earned three corner kicks.
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Southern Indiana keeper Jacob English totaled six saves, including four in the first half.
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Four different Screaming Eagles were issued a yellow card.
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Of Note
- The Bruins have won back-to-back matches at Rose Park and have earned a result in their last three home outings.
- Belmont improves to 5-0 against Southern Indiana, scoring multiple goals in all five meetings.
- The Bruins' active career leader in goals scored, Mefford notched his sixth tally. He is now tied with Claes Nielsen with a team-best three goals this season.
- Pierpoint's go-ahead goal is his second score of the year.
- Stokes' closing goal was his first of the season and fifth of his career.
- Ten different Belmont players have found the back of the net this season.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Adam Leonard made his first career appearance and finished the last 10 minutes of the match in front of goal.
Up Next
The Bruins continue non-conference play Monday evening, traveling to top-15 ranked Louisville. Kickoff from Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, is slated for 5 p.m. CT/6 p.m. ET. Next Friday night, Belmont is back at Rose Park and hosts the University of St. Thomas. Monday's match against the nationally-ranked and unbeaten Cardinals will be broadcast on
ACC Network Extra.
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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 theÂ
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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