LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University men's soccer team will make its Division I home debut by hosting Belmont at 1 p.m. (ET) Sunday at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.

Bellarmine (0-1) is welcoming an opponent for the first time since the NCAA II Tournament in early December of 2019.

"It will be good to play our first D1 game at home, and I believe the guys will be excited," Knights Coach Tim Chastonay said. "Because the fall was canceled, I think they are just happy to be playing any games, regardless of the NCAA division. I believe Belmont will feel the same way."

The contest will mark the regular-season debut for the Bruins, who were picked to finish sixth in the Southern Conference preseason coaches' poll after going 5-12-2 in 2019, including 1-4-1 in league play. Forward Niccolo Dagnoni was named preseason All-Conference for the second year in a row after recording eight goals and eight assists last season. The Bruins boast 11 returners who played in 15 or more matches last season.

"Belmont will be a very good opponent," Chastonay said. "They have a number of NCAA D1 transfers from very good programs. They were a program last year that started slow under a new coach but eventually started finding wins later in the year. Belmont made a great showing in their conference tournament (two wins, advanced to semifinals). Many of their players are back from last season, so I think they will be a program that shows a good deal of improvement. Defensively, I think they will be very organized and they have some dangerous attacking options."  

Bellarmine made its D1 debut Wednesday against Xavier at the Grand Park Sports Complex in Indiana. The Musketeers scored twice in the first 22 minutes, but the Knights settled in and eventually made it a one-score game after junior defender/midfielder Nate Girao found the net in the 87th minute. Bellarmine had previously competed against Kentucky in an exhibition.

"The exhibition against Kentucky and first NCAA D1 game against Xavier were very eye-opening for the staff," Chastonay said. "It gave us a good idea of the level and how we need to improve. Against Xavier, we really struggled early in the game. It could have been wrong tactics and preparation for the start, but Xavier was very good opening the game. I give a great deal of credit to our guys for the way they adjusted at halftime and their play in the second half. We created some good chances and looked more comfortable overall. It was a good performance after halftime, but we need to be more consistent over a full 90 if we want to get results at the NCAA D1 level."

Bellarmine lost quite a bit to graduation after going 16-1-5 overall with an undefeated regular season, a GLVC Tournament title run and an appearance in the Sweet 16 in 2019. There's plenty of new faces and players with significantly expanded roles this season for the Knights.

"We look much different from last season," Chastonay said. "We have been dealing with injuries to key members of the squad and are slowly getting some of these guys back. (All-American defender) Eddie Williamson and Nate Girao had been out since fall training and were able to give us some solid minutes off the bench Wednesday. (2018 GLVC Defensive Player of the Year) Jonas Skulstad has been practicing this week, so he may be ready to go at some point. The team has done a great job without some of these players. We have good depth on this team and several guys have played well when given the chance to play."   

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