LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University men's soccer team fell 2-1 to Evansville on Thursday in its season opener in Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.

Senior midfielder Brendan Schoemehl answered a second-half goal by Evansville (1-0) with one of his own, but the Purple Aces regained the lead quickly thereafter and held off Bellarmine (0-1) to secure the win.

Defense dominated the first half, as the teams combined for only four shots. Evansville broke the deadlock in the 58th minute after a Purple Aces shot caromed off the post, and Baraka Tartleton corralled a clear attempt by the Knights and hit a shot that glanced off a BU player for a 1-0 lead.

Schoemehl equalized the contest in the 69th minute. After Evansville was called for a foul in the box, the holding midfielder had his penalty kick attempt stopped, but the Preseason All-ASUN Team selection pounced on the rebound and rammed it into the net.

Evansville grabbed hold of the lead again roughly two minutes later. Sami Owusu dropped off to Nacho Diaz-Caneja near the left sideline, and his cross found the head of Nacho Barragan near the back post for the go-ahead goal and eventual game-winner.

Bellarmine finished with an 11-7 advantage in shots, with 10 coming in the second half for the Knights. Evansville had a 5-4 edge in shots on goal.

Bellarmine will play at 7:30 p.m. (ET) Sunday at Northern Kentucky.

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