Explosive second half powers Aces to win over Bellarmine
The Purple Aces picked up their first win over the Knights since 1977
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Two second-half goals powered the University of Evansville men’s soccer team to a season-opening 2-1 win over the Bellarmine Knights.
Despite a quiet first half, the Purple Aces tenacity in the final 45 minutes gave them their first season-opening win since 2019. Sophomore midfielder Baraka Tarleton (Andover, Minn. / Andover HS) broke open the scoring on Thursday with a goal in the 58th minute. While the Knights equalized the game in the 69th minute, senior forward Nacho Diaz Barragan (Almeria, Spain) put the game-winning goal in the back of the net only two minutes later in the 71st minute.
UE got off to a quick start as Diaz Barragan had a chance right in front of the net in the first minute of action on Thursday night. But things quickly slowed down as Evansville’s next shot didn’t come until the 28th minute. Fifth-year forward Kai Phillip (Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago) had a chance from the right side of the net that was quickly swallowed up. The Aces had the last shot of the first half in the final seconds as sophomore midfielder Will Bencic (Cincinnati / Lakota East HS) took an on-goal chance from outside the box.
The game’s pace picked up in the second half with shots and fouls aplenty from the Bellarmine. But it was UE who struck first as Tarleton followed up on a shot that hit the post from senior forward Edward Mendy (Overland Park, Kan. / Blue Valley West HS) in the 58th minute. Evansville held onto the lead for over 10 minutes, but the Knights got the equalizer on the rebound from a saved penalty kick in the 69th minute.
The game was tied for only a brief moment as a minute and a half later the Aces found the back of the net. Graduate forward Sami Owusu (Denver / Dayton) dropped off the ball to junior defender Nacho Diaz-Caneja (Coruna Spain / Oregon State) near the left sideline, and his cross found the head of Diaz Barragan near the back post for the go-ahead goal. UE’s defense was able to hold off Bellarmine’s attack for the next 19 minutes by blocking three shots and directing another off-target.
Evansville edged the Knights in shots on goal five to four while the teams were even in fouls with 15 each. Freshman goalkeeper Michal Mroz (Elk Grove, Ill. / Elk Grove HS) made three saves in his collegiate debut for the Aces while allowing a goal. Diaz Barragan and Phillip led the team on offense with two shots each while Diaz Barragan’s shots both landed on goal. Three other Purple Aces recorded a shot through 90 minutes.
UE continues the 2024 season on the road with a match on Sunday, August 26th. Evansville will visit Memphis for the first time since 2007 for their first matchup with the Tigers since 2011. Sunday’s game is set for a 6 p.m. kick-off and will be broadcast on ESPN.
