INDIANAPOLIS — A season's worth of injuries have beset the Bellarmine University men's soccer team before conference play has even started, shrewdly challenging the Knights resolve.
They responded in the perfect manner Saturday afternoon against Davis & Elkins at neutral-site University of Indianapolis.
Competing without multiple expected starters due to injury, the Knights displayed resilience after a 3-0 loss to Cedarville in their season opener by edging the Senators 1-0 in double overtime on a goal by sophomore midfielder
Trevor Thompson.
"We asked the guys for a response to the loss Thursday, and they came through," BU Coach
Tim Chastonay said. "I'm very proud of the way they regrouped and held their composure all game."
On the same day Bellarmine (1-1) lost to Cedarville, Davis & Elkins (1-1) claimed a 2-1 victory over Indianapolis, which is the preseason favorite to win the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
The Knights controlled the weekend match, though. Bellarmine fired off 15 shots to the six of the Senators, including a 6-1 advantage in shots on goal. Despite the absences of several key members, the defensive unit shut out Davis & Elkins for 100-plus minutes.
Of course, the Senators did the same thing to the Knights until Thompson struck in the 105th minute. The play was put in motion by freshman midfielder
Keegan Gordon, who made a lengthy pass to junior midfielder
Beau Laufer down the right wing. Laufer then spotted Thompson near the center of the box. He cut hard to the left and rifled a shot into the back of the net for the game-winner.
With junior goalkeeper
Tommy Hebert out with injury, freshman
Zach Pogue made the first start of his collegiate career in goal and recorded the shutout. He saved the Senators' only shot on frame as the Knights put forth a smothering effort on defense.
Bellarmine gets right back in action at 3 p.m. (ET) on Monday at Kentucky Wesleyan.
"The improved play and positive result is something we can build off of at this point," Chastonay said. "We have a short turnaround and must be able to get focused on a solid Kentucky Wesleyan."
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