LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University men will be involved in postseason soccer once again as the sixth-seeded Knights will meet third-seeded Stetson in the ASUN Tournament quarterfinals at 6 p.m. (ET) Saturday at Bill Stephens Track/Soccer Complex in Conway, Arkansas.
Bellarmine (6-4-6) is making its third straight appearance in the ASUN Tournament and played in the semifinal round its first two years in Division I. In its inaugural season in the ASUN, the Knights earned an automatic bid to the semifinals after securing the North Division's top seed. Bellarmine also advanced to the semifinals last season after defeating FGCU 2-1 in the quarterfinals.
The 2021 victory over FGCU also came at Central Arkansas, which is hosting a quarterfinal and semifinal once again after earning the two-seed. The Bellarmine-Stetson winner will face the Bears at 7 p.m. (ET) Monday.
Stetson (6-3-6) owns a 1-0-1 advantage in the series. The Knights and Hatters played to a scoreless draw this season on Oct. 8 at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium. Last season, Stetson earned a 4-2 win in DeLand, Florida, marking the most goals Bellarmine has allowed in the D1 era.
The first match this season between the two teams reflected the scoreless stalemate. It was mostly a defensive affair with a low shot count. Stetson finished with a 7-5 advantage in attempts, including 2-1 on goal.
Stetson made a big statement to end the regular season with a 6-3 victory over FGCU. The Hatters scored an astonishing four goals inside the first 10 minutes to take a 4-1 lead. The Eagles cut their deficit to two in the 27th minute, but Stetson found the net two straight times in the second half before FGCU would score again.
With 28 goals on the season, Stetson ranks third in the ASUN in scoring (1.87 per game). Andres Mata has accounted for a team-high six goals while Luis Lara Delgado (five), Gio Rodriguez (four) and Alessandro Gabbani (three) have also found the net multiple times. All of Mata's goals have come over the last five games, including two apiece against Jacksonville and FGCU.
Bellarmine had its D1-era program-record nine-game unbeaten streak snapped by No. 12 Lipscomb in the regular-season finale as the Bisons captured a 1-0 victory. The Knights began the streak with four straight wins and ended it with five consecutive draws. They started the stretch with five shutouts in a row as well.
Bellarmine's defense finished the regular season second in the ASUN in goals-against average (0.81) and shutouts (seven). The Knights have not allowed more than one goal in 11 straight games.
Bellarmine will hope the postseason brings with it an offensive resurgence. The Knights were shut out in their last three regular-season games, although two ended in stalemates.
For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights) and Facebook (BUKnights).
