LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University men's soccer team scored late in the first half and early in the second stanza en route to a critical 2-1 win over Liberty in ASUN action Saturday evening at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.

Sophomore defender Brock Pope and senior midfielder Micah Linscott scored the goals for Bellarmine (6-5-1, 2-3 ASUN), while senior midfielder Greg Fischer and sophomore forward Nolan McGrath collected assists against the Flames (6-6, 2-3).

Liberty had two extremely close calls in the first half. Bellarmine senior goalkeeper Connor Range saved a shot from close distance off his shoulder to combat one prime scoring opportunity, while the Knights had a little luck in their favor when another Flames chance clanged off the left post.

Bellarmine struck near the end of the half. In the 44th minute, Pope buried a header off a free kick from Fischer. It was Pope's third goal of the season and the third assist for Fischer.

Bellarmine found the net again shortly after the intermission. After missing a shot from close range, Linscott converted on an attempt with a much higher degree of difficulty. He made a few shifty moves near the top of the box to create space after receiving a pass from McGrath and slotted a shot through the wickets of the Liberty goalkeeper off a challenging angle. It was Linscott's third goal of the season and 29th of his standout career.

Liberty cut its deficit in half in the 59th minute on a sequence that ended with a wide-open net and breakaway goal for Noah Holmes off a feed from Seth Clark.

Bellarmine's defense held firm from there, staving off any real threats from the Flames to level the contest. Liberty finished with an 11-8 advantage in shots, but the Knights had a 4-3 edge on frame.

Bellarmine will play next Saturday at Stetson in an ASUN matchup.

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