LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University men's soccer team departed Division II as a conference champion and, four years later, the Knights made it to the cusp of another title, only this time in the NCAA's highest level.

Bellarmine was the runner-up in the 2023 ASUN Tournament, giving regular season and tournament champion Lipscomb all it could handle in a 1-0 loss. It was the Knights' fourth straight season in which they appeared in at least the semifinals. They pushed into the 2023 title game by erasing a two-goal deficit in a momentous 3-2 double-overtime victory over Stetson at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.

"Overall, we were pleased with the progress of the program last season," said Tim Chastonay, who is embarking upon his 27th season as Bellarmine's head coach. "Our goal is always to be playing our best soccer at the end of the season. We made a great run to secure the two-seed in the tournament last year and performed well in the postseason. Although we came up a bit short in the final, progress was made. The returning players have gained valuable experience."

Bellarmine, which finished 6-5-6 overall and 3-2-2 in the ASUN last year, was picked right behind favorite Lipscomb in the ASUN preseason coaches' poll. With the four-year trial period to D1 ending, the Knights can now qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

"It's nice to be recognized by the ASUN coaches in the preseason poll," Chastonay said. "We have not been picked this high in previous seasons, so I'm sure the teams in the league will be ready to play us each Saturday. It will take a lot of hard work, preparation and execution for us to finish this high.

"The team knows this season has the chance to be a bit different because the transition is over, and they are eligible for the NCAA Tournament. I believe they understand NCAA Tournament play only happens with a special season. Many smaller goals need to be accomplished before they can focus on that goal."

Here's a projected position-by-position breakdown of the 2024 Knights:

GOALKEEPERS
Matthew Brozovich remains a Knight, but now the 2023 ASUN Goalkeeper of the Year is on staff as a graduate assistant. His successor will follow perhaps the most accomplished goal stopper in program history.

Sophomore Tudor Iordan (1.11 GAA, .765 save percentage) got big-game experience last season, appearing in the high-stakes season finale against Stetson and both ASUN Tournament games. Peter Van Euwen is a graduate transfer from Ohio State. Redshirt sophomore Hannes Nilsson and redshirt freshman Gavin Thompson are returners in goal.

"Our goalkeeping looks solid again this season," Chastonay said. "Tudor was able to help us at the end of last season and continues to progress. Peter has great experience at the D1 level and looks ready to contribute. Hannes and Gavin continue to make strides and give us the necessary depth to get us through a long season."

DEFENDERS
Bellarmine lost a pair of cornerstones in center back Jackson Kirn and outside back and 2023 ASUN Defensive Player of the Year Brock Pope (who was equally as dangerous on set pieces and in the attack), but the Knights have two decorated returning starters as well in senior outside back Austin Yowell (three assists, team-high 1,520 minutes), a 2023 second-team All-ASUN selection and a 2024 Preseason All-ASUN recipient, and sophomore center back Jeffrey Cox (one goal, 1,326 minutes), a 2023 ASUN All-Freshman Team honoree.

Sophomore Karl Lundstrom Svahnqvist (nine appearances, two starts), redshirt junior Ty Been, redshirt sophomore Bennett Kirn and redshirt freshmen Nore Sumner and Grady Johnson are also back. Seasoned transfers include Rhys Davies (junior from McKendree), Jeremy Mason (graduate transfer from Transylvania), Braden Griffin (redshirt sophomore from Drake) and James Gardev (junior from Radford).

The crop of true freshmen looking to contribute in back are Michael Voulgaris, Sawyer Gribble, Luke Gonda, Martin Cadagan, Jimmy McCamey and Nathaniel Chmielowicz.

"Our backline was very good last season, and we will rely heavily on a couple of those returning players," Chastonay said. "Jeffrey and Austin return and have great experience. The transfers — Rhys, Jeremy, Braden and James — have all seen considerable time in a college backline and should make an impact. Karl, Ty, Bennett, Nore and Grady continue to improve and give us a good deal of depth. The newcomers are working hard and learning the system. That group includes Michael, Sawyer, Luke, Martin, Jimmy and Nathaniel."

MIDFIELDERS
In addition to the two ASUN award-winning returning defenders, Bellarmine has another in the holding midfield in senior captain Brendan Schoemehl (team highs of 13 points and six goals), a Preseason All-ASUN selection who was first-team All-ASUN and United Soccer Coaches third-team All-Region last season.

Junior Collin Folds (680 minutes) was a fixture off the bench and redshirt sophomore Tate McCrery (14 appearances) frequently saw action. True freshman arrivals include Sawyer Trowel, Ignacio Doglioli, Jackson Jones and Alessandro Rincon.

"The defensive midfield spots should be strong with Brendan, Collin and Tate all returning," Chastonay said. "We needed to bring in depth in those spots, so newcomers Sawyer, Ignacio, Jackson and Alessandro are competing to get minutes."

In the attacking midfield, redshirt junior Ben Griffis (one goal, three assists) started 13 games last season, and redshirt junior Santiago Ibarreche is also back. True freshman Nick Harshaw has shown promise.

"The attacking midfield position brings back Ben and Santiago," Chastonay said. "Nick is a newcomer who has been impressive in the early going and should make an impact."

Bellarmine's collection of wings is well established. Senior Jack Fischer (three goals, two assists, 1,235 minutes) has been a mainstay, and redshirt sophomore Calle Sjoberg (two goals, one assist) started every match last season. Redshirt junior Jackson Marks (14 appearances), redshirt sophomore Cade Morgan (10 appearances) and sophomore Adric Rosato are also game-tested as is sophomore Ethan Jacobs, a transfer from California State, Dominguez Hills.

"On the outside, we bring back a good deal of experience," Chastonay said. "Jack, Calle, Jackson, Cade and Adric all have played good minutes in the past and should again this season. Ethan transferred in and has looked good in preseason and should push all these guys for time."

FORWARDS
Back to front, Bellarmine is experienced at every level. Up top, senior captain Chris Shust (two goals) and redshirt sophomore Alex Halevy (three goals, one assist), a 2023 ASUN All-Tournament Team selection, are back along with redshirt freshman Colin Elder (two assists in four games before season-ending injury).

Johan Nissen-Lie and Teddy Franke are true freshmen.

"The forward position brings back several guys with potential to score goals," Chastonay said. "Chris and Alex saw a good deal of time last fall and look to build on their production. Colin was well on his way to having a good freshman year until an injury ended his season. He is healthy and ready to impact the team. Both Johan and Teddy have proven track records of scoring goals and have looked good in the early going."

Bellarmine will open the season at 7 p.m. (ET) Thursday by hosting Evansville, and the Knights will follow quickly with their first road contest at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Northern Kentucky.

"Preseason has been very good up to this point," Chastonay said. "We've had some ups and downs with our performances, but feel we are making strides. Our culture is good, and the leadership provided by our captains and upperclassmen have made the transition easy for our newcomers."

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