LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University men's soccer team is looking to build off another breakthrough season.

After coming close its first two years in Division I (4-4 and 7-8-2), Bellarmine in 2022 secured its first winning record in the NCAA's highest level after finishing 6-4-8. The Knights also made their third straight appearance in the ASUN Tournament semifinals.

"I could not be more proud of where the program sits after three years at the D1 level," said Coach Tim Chastonay, the spring 2021 ASUN Coach of the Year who is entering his 26th season. "Each team has moved the program along on the field, but at the same time, they have worked to create a positive culture. The players have been committed to making this a smooth transition."

Every year has its trials, but 2023 may test the Knights more than most. Ten of their 15 regular-season games are on the road.

"It's important for us to challenge our team with a good schedule each season," Chastonay said. "We had more home games last year, so this was going to be a season with more road games. It's always difficult to play on the road, so we will rely on our experienced players and team captains to help us navigate our way through the early stages of our schedule. Many have been through these hard road games and can help our younger guys adjust. We want to be playing our best soccer once conference time hits, so these challenging away games should help us prepare for the ASUN games."

Here's a position-by-position look at the Knights:

GOALKEEPERS
Matthew Brozovich was a second-team All-ASUN selection last season, and the senior was recognized as the 2023 ASUN Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year and to the Preseason All-ASUN Team. Last season, he ranked second in the conference in goals-against average (1.04) and save percentage (.754) and third in shutouts (five).

Senior Trevor Massa and redshirt junior Lukas Tharp are fellow returners in goal. Sophomore Hannes Nilsson is a transfer from Kentucky Wesleyan while Tudor Iordan and Gavin Thompson are freshmen.

"Our goalkeeping looks very solid again this year," Chastonay said. "Matthew Brozovich was All-Conference in 2022 and picked up preseason awards this year. He continues to improve each season, and we look forward to having him lead the team. Trevor Massa and Lukas Tharp are back and provide great depth. Tudor Iordan, Hannes Nilsson and Gavin Thompson joined us this season. All have bright futures and will solidify that position in years to come."

DEFENDERS
The Knights have a pair of stalwarts in seniors Brock Pope (two goals, two assists in 2022) and Jackson Kirn (one goal, one assist, 1,566 minutes). Pope, a captain, was a unanimous Preseason All-ASUN selection and is a two-time ASUN All-Tournament Team recipient. Kirn has amassed 36 career starts.

Senior Thomas Stickley (one goal) appeared in every game last season. Senior Niall Grimley, redshirt juniors Peyton Fosnough and Zachary Smith, redshirt sophomore Ty Been and redshirt freshmen Jeffrey Cox and Bennett Kirn are also back. Senior Austin Yowell is a transfer from Belmont. Freshmen include Karl Lundstrom Svahnqvist, Nore Sumner, Grant Farrill, Zach Landers and Grady Johnson.

"Our backline performed very well last season, and we will rely heavily on some of the players back from that group," Chastonay said. "Jackson Kirn and Brock Pope are back and should provide steady play and good leadership. Austin Yowell, Jeffrey Cox, Niall Grimley, Thomas Stickley, Ty Been, Peyton Fosnough, Bennett Kirn and Zachary Smith all have experience from previous years and should be fighting for playing time. Young players brought in this year to solidify the future and provide depth include Karl Lundstrom Svahnqvist, Nore Sumner, Grant Farrill, Zach Landers and Grady Johnson."

MIDFIELDERS
In the holding midfield spots, junior Brendan Schoemehl (one goal, one assist, 10 starts) and senior captain Rahim Shalash (two assists, eight starts) are highly seasoned. Senior Bruno Soria, sophomore Collin Folds and redshirt freshman Tate McCrery also return. Junior Mateusz Kozlowski (Bloomfield) and sophomore Luke Bianco (Elmhurst) are both transfers.

Senior Alex Kyrkjeeide, redshirt sophomore Ben Griffis (one goal, appeared in every game) and redshirt sophomore Santiago Ibarreche return in the attacking midfield. On the outside, senior Jack Fischer led the team in assists last season with five. Redshirt junior Andrew Blank, redshirt sophomore Jackson Marks and redshirt freshmen Cade Morgan and Calle Sjoberg are also back. Sam Hughes and Adric Rosato are freshmen.

"The defensive midfield positions have the potential to be a strong area of our team," Chastonay said. "Rahim Shalash and Brendan Schoemehl are back and will bring experience to the group. Depth will be provided by Tate McCrery, Collin Folds, Luke Bianco, Bruno Soria and Mateusz Kozlowski. All of them are capable of playing big minutes for our team.

"The attacking midfield position brings back players with college game experience and these guys should be ready for bigger roles this season. The group includes Alex Kyrkjeeide, Ben Griffis and Santiago Ibarreche.

"Jack Fischer, Jackson Marks and Andrew Blank bring experience to the outside midfield positions, but the remainder of the players are young with great potential. Cade Morgan and Calle Sjoberg look ready to solidify regular time this season and newcomers Sam Hughes and Adric Rosato will provide depth and have bright futures ahead of them."

FORWARDS
Juan Ballas (14 career goals) played last season at Oregon State but has returned to Bellarmine, where the senior's been a two-time All-ASUN selection. Redshirt junior Chris Shust (two goals, one assist, eight starts) was a fixture up front last season.

Senior Omar Sanyang is also back while redshirt freshman Alex Halevy, a transfer from DePaul, and true freshman Colin Elder have come aboard.

"The forward position brings back a good amount of experience with Juan Ballas, Chris Shust and Omar Sanyang," Chastonay said. "Both Juan and Chris have provided goals in the past and are looking to increase their production this season. Alex Halevy and Colin Elder are young but have loads of talent and have the potential to score goals."  

Bellarmine opens the season at 8 p.m. (ET) Thursday at Evansville. The Knights hosted Oakland City and played at Xavier in preseason exhibitions but an opponent asked to cancel in another tune-up in between.

"Training has gone well up to this point but losing the preseason exhibition (due to the cancelation) definitely hurt our chances to see some of the younger guys play against an outside opponent," Chastonay said. "I really believe the strength of this team right now is with our depth and leadership. We have good depth in a number of positions to get us through a long season. In addition, the leadership from our captains and seniors has been outstanding to this point."

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