LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University men's soccer team will open the 2022 season by welcoming Evansville at 7 p.m. (ET) Thursday at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.

Heading into its 25th season under Head Coach Tim Chastonay, Bellarmine made its 2021 debut by visiting Evansville, rallying for a 2-1 win after scoring two unanswered goals in the second half following a 1-0 deficit early in the stanza. The shots on goal were even at four apiece, with the Knights holding a slight 9-8 edge in overall attempts.

Evansville finished 4-14-2 last season, including 3-6-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Purple Aces were picked fifth out of seven in the MVC preseason coaches' poll.

Midfielder Jose Vivas was the MVC Freshman of the Year last season and recorded three assists. Midfielder Jon Varela joined Vivas on the conference's All-Freshman Team for Evansville, which averaged exactly one goal per game last season. Jacob Madden started 17 games in goal last year and is among the returners.

Bellarmine went 7-8-2 in 2021 and advanced to the ASUN Tournament semifinals for the second straight season. Expanded roles and new faces could be two prominent features of the Knights this season — senior midfielder Camden Dunne, senior defender Jackson Kirn, sophomore defender Rikard Cederberg and junior defender Brock Pope are the only returners with 10 starts or more last year.

Pope and junior forward Nolan McGrath are the leading returning goal scorers with three apiece last season. Senior goalkeeper Matthew Brozovich is a two-time ASUN Defensive Player of the Week who posted shutouts in three of his five starts last year.

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