WESTFIELD, Ind. — The Bellarmine University men's soccer team made its season and Division I debut Wednesday against Xavier at Grand Park Sports Complex in Indiana.

The Musketeers scored twice in the first half and were able to fend off a Bellarmine comeback bid in the second stanza in defeating the Knights 2-1.

In doing so, Xavier (2-1) snapped Bellarmine's 23-game regular-season unbeaten streak. The Knights (0-1) went undefeated during the regular season in their final season in Division II and had not suffered a regular-season loss since a 2-0 setback to Lewis on Oct. 5 of 2018.

Junior defender/midfielder Nate Girao cut Xavier's 2-0 lead in half with Bellarmine's first-ever D1 goal in the 87th minute, but the Musketeers held on behind Bryce Curran's score in the 15th minute and Karsen Henderlong's fourth goal in three games in the 22nd minute.

Bellarmine was not hard-pressed for chances. The Knights finished with a 15-13 advantage in shots, including 6-3 on frame, and held a 7-5 edge in corner kicks. Bellarmine attempted nine shots in the second half with four coming on frame, and the Knights' defense did not allow Xavier a shot on goal in the second stanza.

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BOX SCORE (HTM)