LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The fact that the Bellarmine University men's soccer team has made the ASUN Tournament every season in the Division-I era is a badge of honor.

And yet, the Knights will enter the 2025 campaign with at least a bit of a chip on their shoulder, if not a boulder. Despite being an annual presence in the conference tournament, Bellarmine unceremoniously found itself predicted at the bottom of the league in the ASUN preseason coaches' poll.

"I think we were all a bit surprised to be picked last in the preseason poll," said Bellarmine coach Tim Chastonay, who's in his 28th season at the helm of the Knights. "The guys have set their goals for the year and will work very hard to achieve them. It's important for the guys to take things one game at a time and see where we stand when conference play ends. The previous five teams all qualified for the ASUN Tournament, so this group will work hard to keep that streak."

The 2024 group certainly did.

Facing long odds with three matches left in the regular season, Bellarmine made an improbable and inspired rally to the postseason after defeating Jacksonville 2-1 and FGCU 2-0 before sealing a bid with the point earned from a 1-1 draw at Stetson in which the Knights equalized the contest with less than two minutes remaining.

Bellarmine (5-6-5) finished the year on a four-game unbeaten streak. The Knights battled FGCU to a 1-1 stalemate — the official result — in the ASUN Tournament quarterfinals before being edged 5-4 in penalty kicks.

"Although we didn't achieve all the goals we set out to accomplish last year, I think the season was successful," Chastonay said. "We had to deal with several key injuries to some of our starters. We were playing some of our best soccer down the stretch, once we found the right combinations of players and rotations. Several young players gained valuable experience due to the injuries sustained early in the year to veteran players. We qualified for postseason play and came very close to advancing. We are hoping our development last year will carry over to this season."

Although Bellarmine had one exhibition game canceled due to persistent lightning, the Knights did complete two others that were productive tools for the players and coaching staff. 

"The two exhibitions were great opportunities for us to evaluate our team against outside competition," Chastonay said. "We were able to evaluate players individually and assess combinations that could work well together. These games helped players with their individual fitness levels and overall team chemistry. I believe we found areas of strength but also discovered things we need to improve on before the regular season begins."

Here's a projected positional breakdown of the 2025 Knights:

GOALKEEPER
Graduate student Peter Van Euwen started 15 games last season in his first year at Bellarmine, carrying a 1.21 goals-against average and .712 save percentage while collecting five wins, including three shutouts plus two combined shutouts with junior Tudor Iordan, who made four appearances last season and posted a 0.94 GAA and .800 save percentage. Redshirt sophomore Gavin Thompson is a third returner in goal, while sophomore Benny Howard started last season at Hanover College.

Chastonay on the GKs: "Goalkeeping looks like a strength again this season with starter Peter Van Euwen returning. Tudor Iordan now has two years in the program and has game experience. Transfer Benny Howard was a full-time starter last year and has been very good since transferring in last spring. Gavin Thompson continues to develop and provides us great depth."

DEFENDERS
A 2025 Preseason All-ASUN Team selection, senior Rhys Davies started all 15 games in which he appeared last season and tied for second on the team with three assists. Redshirt junior Jeffrey Cox tallied two goals and an assist in nine starts before being lost to injury. Redshirt junior Braden Griffin also had bad luck with injury but started all five matches in which he appeared. Senior James Gardev made nine starts while appearing in every game, and sophomore Martin Cadagan (two goals) logged five starts closing the season. Freshmen Sawyer Gribble and Luke Gonda are back coming off redshirt years. Redshirt sophomore Sam Safly is a transfer from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and junior Ezekiel Opie from the University of Tennessee Southern. Gavin Crowe, James Torre and Brady Smith are true freshmen.

Chastonay on the defenders: "Across the backline, we bring back several guys with good experience. Rhys Davies, James Gardev, Jeffrey Cox, Martin Cadagan, Braden Griffin, Ezekiel Opie and Sam Safly all have played good minutes at the college level in the past and will be heavily counted on this season. Redshirt freshmen Sawyer Gribble and Luke Gonda had great springs and look ready to push for playing time. The future looks very bright with freshmen Brady Smith, Gavin Crowe and James Torre."

MIDFIELDERS
Although he was limited to three games last season due to injury, redshirt senior Brendan Schoemehl was a 2023 first-team All-ASUN and third-team All-Atlantic Region selection. Senior Collin Folds (13 starts last season, 36 career games) and redshirt junior Tate McCrery (two goals, 13 starts last season; 30 career games) are also highly seasoned in the holding midfield. Sophomores Jackson Jones (14 appearances) and Sawyer Trowel (12 appearances) got their feet wet last season, while freshman Alessandro Rincon is also back after redshirting.

Chastonay on the central midfield: "The central midfield positions also bring back players with experience. Brendan Schoemehl, Tate McCrery and Collin Folds have all been in the starting lineup in previous years. Jackson Jones and Sawyer Trowel both played as true freshmen last year and look to play bigger roles this season. Redshirt freshman Alessandro Rincon provides good depth and looks ready to play this season."

On the wings, redshirt senior Jackson Marks has 37 career appearances. Redshirt junior Cade Morgan battled injury while appearing in eight games last season. Junior Ethan Jacobs also made eight appearances. Freshman Jimmy McCamey III redshirted last season, while redshirt junior Colin Mackey is a transfer from DePaul University. Bartosz Wojda and Max Murphy are true freshmen.

Chastonay on the outside midfielders: "The outside midfield positions will be deep and very competitive. Jackson Marks, Ethan Jacobs and Cade Morgan all return and should provide big minutes on the outside, along with transfer Colin Mackey. Redshirt freshman Jimmy McCamey continues to develop and is looking to press for playing time this year. Bart Wojda and Max Murphy are freshmen and show great promise for the future."

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS/FORWARDS
Up front, sophomore Nick Harshaw was an ASUN All-Freshman Team selection last season while netting a team-high four goals. Redshirt junior Alex Halevy appeared in 15 games last year while sophomore Johan Nissen-Lie entered in 12, including five starts in his debut season. Redshirt junior Bennett Kirn and sophomore Teddy Franke return as well. John Carleton and Joaquin Wladdimiro are true freshmen.

Chastonay on the attacking midfielders and forwards: "The attacking midfield and forward positions bring back some guys with good experience and some talented newcomers. Nick Harshaw, Johan Nissen-Lie, Alex Halevy, Teddy Franke and Bennett Kirn will all be competing for playing time in these spots. We will be looking for these guys to come up with goals this season. Freshmen Joaquin Wladdimiro and John Carleton provide good depth and have a ton of promise."

Bellarmine will open the season at 7:30 p.m. (ET) Thursday at Evansville.

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