LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University men's soccer team finished the preseason strong with a 3-0 victory over Spalding in an exhibition Friday night at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.

Sophomore midfielder Greg Fischer scored twice and added an assist for Bellarmine, which opens the regular season Thursday at Cedarville. Junior midfielder Gilio Aviles collected a goal, and junior forward Tomas Bernedo chipped in an assist.

Bellarmine posted a sizable 18-3 advantage in shots, including 9-1 on frame, and took a 2-0 lead into halftime. The Knights' defense, which had some noticeable lapses despite recording a shutout in Wednesday's 3-0 exhibition win over Hanover, didn't allow the Golden Eagles many openings and quickly shut them down on the rare occasions when they occurred.

Bellarmine scored its first goal in the 26th minute. Bernedo, shaded toward the right side of the goal area, crossed to Fischer and he buried his shot for a 1-0 lead.

The Knights went ahead 2-0 in the 35th minute. Fischer rifled a corner kick toward the near post, and Aviles fought off defenders and redirected the kick into the net.

Bellarmine added its third goal shortly after the intermission. From the left side, Fischer sent what appeared to be a cross for a charging Bernedo toward the near post. Spalding's goalkeeper attempted to snatch the ball out of the air but dropped it and watched as it deflected into the goal as the Knights led 3-0 in the 50th minute.

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