Bellarmine and Belmont Battle to 1-1 Draw in Second-Half Thriller
Marks' Quick Response Cancels Out Clothier's Opener in Fast-Paced Nashville Encounter
NASHVILLE, TN – Bellarmine and Belmont played out an entertaining 1-1 draw on Tuesday evening, with both goals arriving within a seven-minute span during the second half at Belmont's home venue.
The opening 45 minutes showcased defensive solidity from both sides, though Bellarmine demonstrated greater attacking intent early on. The Knights dominated the corner count in the first quarter-hour, earning three set pieces that tested Belmont's defensive resolve. Grant Calvert in the Bruins' goal was called into action twice, first denying Bartosz Wojda with a smart save to his bottom right in the 32nd minute, then keeping out a Rhys Davies effort eight minutes before the break.
Belmont's attacking threat remained largely contained during the first half, managing just three shots compared to Bellarmine's seven. The Bruins' best opportunity came through Nate Mefford, whose 33rd-minute attempt sailed over the crossbar.
The match transformed after the interval, with both teams showing increased urgency in their attacking play. The deadlock was finally broken in the 60th minute when Riley Clothier capitalized on excellent work from Brad Dildy. The midfielder's precise delivery found the defender, who tucked away Belmont's opener with clinical precision.
Bellarmine's response proved swift and decisive. Just seven minutes after falling behind, Jackson Marks restored parity with a well-taken finish. Sam Safly provided the crucial assist, threading a pass through to Marks, who slotted home to level the contest at 1-1.
The equalizer sparked an absorbing final quarter, with both sides pushing for a winner. Belmont nearly regained their advantage immediately, as Brock Kiper fired wide from a promising position just moments after Marks' leveler. The Bruins maintained their attacking momentum, earning two additional corner kicks as they sought to exploit any defensive lapses.
Peter Van Euwen in the Bellarmine goal faced a busier evening than his counterpart, making six saves to Calvert's four. The Knights' goalkeeper proved particularly reliable during Belmont's late surge, preserving the point with several crucial interventions.
Tactically, the match showcased two well-organized units willing to commit players forward when opportunities arose. Bellarmine's approach centered on utilizing their wide areas effectively, with Safly's assist highlighting their ability to create chances from defensive positions. Belmont's strategy relied heavily on quick transitions and set-piece situations, earning five corner kicks compared to their opponents' three.
The physical nature of the contest was evident in the foul count, with Belmont committing 10 infractions to Bellarmine's eight. The Knights accumulated three yellow cards, including cautions for Tate McCrery, Cade Morgan, and Wojda, while Nzuhri Biggar received Belmont's lone booking.
Both teams made strategic substitutions throughout the second half, with Bellarmine introducing fresh legs through Alex Halevy and other attacking options, while Belmont brought on Lucas Wolthers and Ethan Schlegel to maintain their intensity levels.
The final statistics reflected an evenly contested affair, with Belmont edging the shot count 15-12 and holding a slight advantage in shots on target 7-5. However, Bellarmine's four saves from Van Euwen compared to Calvert's six stops suggested the Knights created the clearer scoring opportunities.
This result represents a fair outcome for two teams that demonstrated commitment, organization, and attacking ambition throughout an absorbing 90 minutes of college soccer.
Key Players
- Jackson Marks (Bellarmine) - Struck the crucial equalizer in the 67th minute with a composed finish, providing the Knights' only goal from limited opportunities - Riley Clothier (Belmont) - Broke the deadlock with a clinical conversion in the 60th minute, showcasing excellent positioning in the final third - Peter Van Euwen (Bellarmine) - Preserved his team's point with six saves, including several crucial stops during Belmont's attacking phases