John McDowell Collects MVC Player of the Week Honor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont University men's soccer's John McDowell has been named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week as announced by the league office Tuesday afternoon. The graduate midfielder scored the Bruins' equalizing penalty kick goal in the 88th minute of Belmont's 1-1 home draw with Mercer last Friday night.
 
After freshman forward Aiden Pierpoint was fouled inside the 18-yard box, McDowell stepped to the penalty spot and drilled in the tying goal right below the crossbar. It was the Chapel Hill, North Carolina (C.E. Jordan HS), native's second goal of the season.
 
With his late-match PK, McDowell is now tied with sophomore midfielder Paul Claes Nielsen for the team lead in goals scored this year.
 
McDowell is the Bruins' first MVC Player of the Week award winner since forward Brock Kiper was tabbed MVC Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 4 last season.
 
Belmont returns to match action Tuesday night as the Bruins host nearby rival Lipscomb in the 29th Battle of the Boulevard. Kickoff from E.S. Rose Park is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The rivalry match is a white out with fans highly encouraged to wear white. Belmont soccer white t-shirts will be given away to all fans in attendance beginning one hour prior to kickoff, while supplies last. Admission is always free to the Bruins' matches at Rose Park.
 
This weekend, Belmont travels to East Tennessee State University for a Saturday evening contest in Johnson City, Tennessee. Kickoff from Summers-Taylor Stadium is set for 5 p.m. CT/6 p.m. ET.
 
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