LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University men's soccer team will begin its second set of games against ASUN Gold Division opponents when the Knights welcome Central Arkansas for a 7 p.m. (ET) contest Saturday in Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.
The matchup will mark the final regular-season home game for Bellarmine head coach
Tim Chastonay, who announced on Sept. 16 that he will retire from college coaching at the end of this season, his 28th with the Knights, and transition to the role of senior associate AD at the university.
Central Arkansas (3-7-2, 2-0-1 ASUN) posted a 2-1 win over visiting Bellarmine (7-3-2, 2-1) on Oct. 5 in the previous matchup. The Knights opened the scoring in the eighth minute, but the Bears equalized just before halftime in the 44th minute and followed with the game-winner in the 74th minute.
Bellarmine is vying with Central Arkansas for the top spot in the Gold Division. The Bears have the slight edge with seven points to the six of the Knights. Queens (two pts) and Lipscomb (one pt) round out the division. Three of the four teams from each division qualify for the ASUN Tournament.
Although no formal scenarios have been provided by the conference leading into Saturday's matches, it appears that Bellarmine or Central Arkansas would clinch a berth in the ASUN Tournament with a win. Two league games remain after this weekend.
When it comes to conference play, Central Arkansas has unquestionably been
the thorn in Bellarmine's side in the Division-I era, with the Bears holding a 5-0-2 series lead. For perspective, the Knights have defeated every other current team in the ASUN at least twice, and that's without even playing the Florida schools (North Florida, Stetson, Jacksonville, FGCU) in the regular season this year.
By and large, Central Arkansas' biggest payoffs this season have come in ASUN play. The Bears have recorded either a win or a draw in five of their 12 games this season, and three of those productive results have come in their three conference matches. UCA followed its win over Bellarmine with a 5-2 home victory over Lipscomb. The Bears, who have received four goals apiece from Maxim Sheenkov and Devonte Richards, opened league play with a 1-1 stalemate at Queens.
KNIGHTS NOTES
• Bellarmine will be celebrating Senior Day. The Knights will honor
Peter Van Euwen,
Cade Morgan,
Rhys Davies,
Braden Griffin,
Brendan Schoemehl,
Alex Halevy,
Tate McCrery,
Bennett Kirn,
James Gardev,
Jeffrey Cox,
Jackson Marks and
Collin Folds.
• Bellarmine is 5-0 at home this season. Two of those are ASUN wins — 3-0 vs. Lipscomb on Sept. 27 and 2-1 vs. Queens on Oct. 11.
• Bellarmine's defense ranks first in the ASUN in GAA (0.83) and fewest goals allowed (10) and is tied for second in shutouts (five).
• Bellarmine's 24 goals this season are a D1-era program record. The Knights' previous high was 22 (2023 and 2024).
•
Johan Nissen-Lie is the ASUN leader in goals (seven), total points (14), shots (30) and shots on goal (15). The sophomore forward's seven goals and 14 points are D1-era single-season program records.
• Van Euwen ranks second in the ASUN in GAA (0.89), is tied for second in save percentage (.792) and is third in shutouts (four).
• Schoemehl and sophomore midfielder
Nick Harshaw are among the contingent tied for fifth in the ASUN with three assists.
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