NASHVILLE - Facing nine shots on the night, graduate goalkeeper Alex Vidizzoni helped lead the University of Evansville men's soccer team to a point on the road in Missouri Valley Conference action in a 0-0 draw with Belmont in Nashville on Wednesday night.

"It's a good result in conference play for us on the road. I think we were unfortunate not to get a goal in the first half, but created chances and were on top of the game and I think were able to dictate the pace," said Aces head men's soccer coach Marshall Ray. " The second half, they came out with a little more energy and put us under some pressure. Belmont created a few good chances, but our guys were organized and did a good job man marking on set pieces and didn't allow any goals and that's something we've been working on and something we need to continue to get better at."

Vidizzoni notched his fourth clean sheet of the season in the draw, facing nine total shots, including six on frame, saving all six. Offensively, Evansville bested the Bruins by one, recording 10 shots with senior Carlos Barcia leading the UE contingent with four shots on the evening. Also recording multiple shots were sophomore Nacho Diaz with three and fellow sophomore Jose Vivas with a pair.

Evansville's attack got its first opportunity inside the opening minute with Barcia launching a shot that missed over the top. The first chance on goal from UE came in the ninth minute as junior Kai Phillip slipped a well-placed through ball to Diaz, who's attempt from an acute angle was saved. Positioning was key on the night for Vidizzoni, who again found himself placed well for a Belmont attempt late in the opening half, making the save as the match trickled into the half in a scoreless lock.

The second half opened relatively quietly with the Aces and Bruins combining for just one shot each in the first 20 minutes of the half, both putting an attempt on goal, but both seeing it subsequently saved.

One of the highlights of the night came by the way of freshman defender Marc Vila. Vila came into the match having played just one minute this season against UIW and made his first collegiate start, playing all 90 minutes in the shutout. Vila nearly won the match for Evansville in the final 10 minutes, launching a volley towards goal that just missed over the bar.

"I think the last 10 or 15 minutes we created some opportunities. Marc (Vila) came in this evening and played a great match for us and stepped-up after not playing many minutes this year and almost got the winner late for us," said Ray on freshman Marc Vila.

In the final five minutes, Belmont generated a late chance on a cross into the box that was headed from close range, but Vidizzoni was in position to make the save as Evansville captured the point on the road in the 0-0 draw.

"Now we've got to get ready for a tough Bradley team at home on Sunday and look forward to getting into that match and continuing in The Valley," said Ray.

The Aces return to Arad McCutcan Stadium on Sunday against MVC foe Bradley with kick-off at 2 PM in Evansville.
 

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