PEORIA, Ill. — Belmont dismantled Bradley 5-0 on Friday night, delivering a dominant performance that showcased the Bruins' offensive firepower in NCAA Division I soccer. The visiting team controlled the second half completely, scoring four goals after halftime to put the match out of reach against the struggling Braves.
Belmont (7-2-6) extended its winning streak to one game while improving its tournament resume with the convincing road victory. Bradley (2-8-6) suffered its third consecutive loss, falling to 0-5-1 in its last six matches. The Braves' defensive vulnerabilities proved costly against a Belmont team that generated 12 shot attempts and converted five into goals.
Brock Kiper opened the scoring in the 30th minute, assisted by Paul Claes Nielsen, giving Belmont an early advantage. Nzuhri Biggar doubled the lead just before halftime with a goal in the 32nd minute, set up by Kiper. The two-goal cushion proved merely a preview of what awaited in the second half, where Belmont's attacking prowess overwhelmed Bradley's depleted defense.
Lucas Wolthers extended Belmont's advantage to 3-0 in the 57th minute with an unassisted goal. Kiper added his second goal in the 66th minute, assisted by Emmanuel Aranda, to make it 4-0. The scoring barrage continued when Nate Mefford capped the rout with a fifth goal in the 80th minute off a corner kick.
Bradley