LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Junior forward
Teddy Franke scored in the second half as the Bellarmine University men's soccer team opened Atlantic Sun Conference play with a 1-0 victory over Stetson on Saturday night at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.
Bellarmine (3-0-1, 1-0 ASUN) remained unbeaten while
Matt Cannady recorded his first-ever conference win as a head coach. In only four games at the helm, Cannady notched his first victory, his first road win and his first ASUN triumph.
Bellarmine, which was the 2025 ASUN Gold Division champion (there are no divisions this season), and Stetson (0-3-1, 0-1) were scoreless at halftime, although Knights junior midfielder
Kanata Taira came within inches of a goal when his shot caromed off the bottom portion of the crossbar and nearly broke the plane.
That was tough luck but didn't stop Taira from helping make sure Bellarmine would get on the board. It started when senior defender
James Gardev had a throw-in cleared right back to him, and he chipped toward the middle of the box.
Sophomore defender
Gavin Crowe headed to Taira just outside the left corner of the 6, and Taira connected with a sliding Franke in the goalmouth to break the deadlock in the 77th minute. It was Franke's second goal of the season.
Bellarmine's defense posted its second shutout of the season, with senior
Tudor Iordan and sophomore
Benny Howard again splitting halves in goal. Stetson had a 12-6 advantage in shots, although on frame favored the Knights, 3-1.
Bellarmine will play at 6 p.m. (ET) Tuesday at Southern Indiana.
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