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Belmont BEL (5-0-4, 0-0-1)
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Western Mich. WMU (2-6-1, 0-0-1)
Belmont BEL
(5-0-4, 0-0-1)
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Western Mich. WMU
(2-6-1, 0-0-1)
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Belmont BEL 1 0 1
Western Mich. WMU 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Men's Soccer Earns 1-1 Road Draw at Western Michigan to Begin MVC Play

Bruins Remain Unbeaten, Pick Up Sixth Road Result of the Season

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Remaining unbeaten on the season, the Belmont University men's soccer team earned a 1-1 road draw at Western Michigan University late Friday afternoon to begin Missouri Valley Conference play. A sixth-minute penalty kick goal from redshirt junior forward Brock Kiper put the Bruins (5-0-4, 0-0-1 MVC) ahead early before the Broncos (2-6-1, 0-0-1 MVC) equalized at the 24th minute on a free kick.
 
For the third consecutive match, Belmont conceded only one shot on goal.
 
The draw extends the Bruins' program-record unbeaten streak, which dates back to Oct. 25 of last year, to 11.
 
Just over five minutes into the Valley opener, the Broncos were whistled for a handball inside the 18-yard box. Belmont elected to go with Kiper for the PK, and he delivered, scoring his team-leading fourth goal of the season. At the 24th minute, the Bruins were called for a foul just outside the box, leading to a Western Michigan free kick inside the penalty arc. The Broncos' Braxton Arpachinda took the freebie and curved it in to even the score at 1-1.
 
Placing five of its eight shots on target, Belmont nearly took a 2-1 lead in the last 15 minutes of the first half. Sophomore midfielder Emmanuel Aranda set up for a free kick about six yards out from the box in the 33rd minute and placed the ball near the top left post, forcing Western Michigan goalkeeper Alex Lindewirth to make a diving save.
 
The Bruins had plenty of chances in the second half and tallied four shots, three of which were on goal. Between the 60th and 70th minutes, Belmont threatened with a trio of legitimate strikes from freshman forward Jaxon Stokes, redshirt sophomore forward Lucas Wolthers and redshirt senior forward Jimiyu Mark.
 
Defending three second-half corner kicks, the Bruins earned their lone corner of the second half in the closing two-and-a-half minutes. However, Belmont was unable to generate much out of it.
 
The league match saw seven cautions, including four yellow cards on the host Broncos. Of Note
  • The Bruins entered the weekend as one of only 21 unbeaten teams in the nation.
  • It marks the first time in school history Belmont has been unbeaten through its first nine matches of the season.
  • The result is the Bruins' sixth on the road this season (4-0-2).
  • Seventh-year head coach David Costa improves to 3-1-3 in conference openers.
  • Last year's matchup between Belmont and Western Michigan in the Music City also ended in a 1-1 draw.
  • Kiper's goal was the 12th of his career. He leads the Bruins in both career goals and points (27).
  • Going back to last season, Belmont has claimed a result in 12 of its last 13 matches.
Up Next
The Bruins return to E.S. Rose Park next weekend, hosting Bowling Green for alumni night Friday. Kickoff from Nashville is set for 6:30 p.m. All home matches are free to attend and are broadcast ESPN+.
 
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.
 
#ItsBruinTime
 
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