EVANSVILLE - In its regular season opener, the University of Evansville men's soccer team scored first, but allowed two late goals in a 2-1 loss to Bellarmine on Thursday evening at Arad McCutchan Stadium in Evansville.

"It's a good lesson to learn early in the season. We went up a goal and we lost our composure a bit and gave a goal on a set piece and were chasing the game. We had some opportunities," said Aces head men's soccer coach Marshall Ray. "Credit to Bellarmine, who put us under some pressure and unfortunately tonight we didn't respond. We've got to regroup and get ready for our next match against a very good Louisville side."

Sophomore midfielder Pablo Guillen scored his fifth career goal and the first of the fall on a penalty kick, recording two shots and putting both on goal. Evansville was led by junior Jakub Hall and his three shots on the night as the West Lafayette, Ind. found the frame with one of them. In goal for the Aces, senior Matt Bryant made two saves, allowing two goals on the evening.

The first half was dotted by opportunities from both teams, but the Aces maintained possession for most of the opening 45 minutes. Evansville tallied its first shot of the regular season just six minutes in on a shot by Hall that was blocked by a sliding Knight.

Evansville tallied two more shots before 15 minutes had passed, including a shot from Guillen that forced a save from Knights keeper Connor Range. After Hall put another shot on frame in the 27th minute, the two sides combined for just one shot on an attempt from Bellarmine's Nate Girao that sailed high as the match remained scoreless at the half.

The activity picked-up and quickly in the second half, beginning with a shot from senior FIlip Johansson that had to be tipped over the cross bar by the Knights. On the ensuing corner, Evansville got its breakthrough. A foul was committed in the box, earning the Aces a penalty. Guillen was tasked with stepping up to the spot and calmly finished to the right side to put the Aces in front, 1-0.

Just five minutes later, Bellarmine found their equalizer coming off a free kick just to the side of the 18-yard box. A low driving ball was whipped into the box, deflecting off the legs of an Ace and past keeper Matt Bryant to tie the match.

In the 61st minute, Evansville appeared to have another chance to go in front after being awarded a penalty. A corner sent in by Guillen in the box was initially called a penalty in UE's favor, but was reversed after a discussion.

With the match appearing to be headed for overtime, Bellarmine pounced on a chance inside the final 10 minutes of regulation. The Knights sent a ball to the far side of the box, which was controlled by Bellarmine's Micah Linscott, who fired towards the left side of goal, finding the back of the net.

Evansville attempted again and again, sending in long ball after long ball to the top of the box late in the match, but the Aces were unable to find their equalizer in the 2-1 loss to the Knights.

The Aces next hit the road and head for a showdown with Louisville in the Derby City on Monday at 5 PM.
 

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