EVANSVILLE - Behind a pair of goals from Spain natives Jose Vivas and Nacho Diaz and an impressive effort in goal from Alex Vidizzoni, the University of Evansville men's soccer team earned a 2-2 draw on the road with Bellarmine on Thursday evening in Louisville, Ky.

"We showed a lot of character tonight to come out with a result in an adverse situation," said Aces head men's soccer coach Marshall Ray. "Bellarmine is a good team that put us under pressure at times, but also, we were able to dictate the pace of play. It was a great goal for Nacho and we'll get back on the bus, watch some film, and get ready for IUPUI on Sunday."

Despite chipping in three assists and earning MVC Freshman of the Year honors, sophomore Jose Vivas scored his first career collegiate goal on Thursday night, while newcomer Nacho Diaz also opened his collegiate account with a goal in the second half. In goal, graduate student Alex Vidizzoni showed well, making three saves, including one on a Bellarmine penalty, helping to preserve the season-opening draw.

A rather possession-focused first portion of the game saw both sides combine for just three shots inside the opening 25 minutes of the contest before Evansville was open to crack the lid. In the 30th minute, senior Ethan Garvey wound up for a long throw parallel to the top of the box and launched it into the box, bouncing off the head of junior Kai Phillip and deflected off of Vivas and past the keeper to break the deadlock and give UE the 1-0 lead. Less than five minutes later, Bellarmine would generate a similar opportunity as a bouncing ball in the box was knocked around and chipped into the net by Cooper Forcellini as the match headed to the half tied at one.

Quickly out of the intermission the Aces retook the lead. In the 47th minute, sophomore Jon Varela looped a ball into the box that fellow sophomore Nacho Diaz perfectly placed in the back of the net off his head, lifting UE to a 2-1 advantage. The Aces lead looked to be in jeopardy in the 64th minute when an Evansville player and a Bellarmine player both stretched for a bouncing ball and clipped boots, sending both to the pitch and resulting in a Knights penalty. The ensuing PK was sent right and Vidizzoni picked correctly, deflecting the ball away from goal and preserving Evansville's 2-1 lead.

With just over 10 minutes remaining in the contest, Bellarmine was awarded a second penalty, this time after an Ace and Knight again got tangled in the box. Bellarmine sent Nolan McGrath to the spot, who converted, tying the match at two. Neith team generated a shot over the final 10 minutes as Evansville picked-up the tie on the road to open the 2022 campaign.

Evansville comes back home this weekend for a Sunday matchup with IUPUI at 5 PM at Arad McCutchan Stadium.
 

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