88th Minute Miracle Leads to Bruins Draw

Ethan Schlegel (Kali Akridge)

Belmont’s men's soccer game against the Mercer University Bears Thursday night answered the question of what happens when an unrelenting offense meets an immovable goalie: a 1-1 tie.  

Down 1-0 in the 88th minute, Belmont successfully challenged a play and was rewarded with a penalty kick, which graduate student John McDowell used to secure the draw. 

Belmont’s savior, McDowell, could only talk about his own savior, explaining how the team's faith strengthens its bond on and off the field. 

“We're able to have Bible studies and even just getting around a table together, sharing time together has been encouraging,” said McDowell. “So, when we're off the field, we’re growing that kind of bond that comes from, not just playing soccer every single day, but really knowing each other off the field.” 

Beginning after a rain delay at 7:05 p.m., Belmont launched into an all-out assault on Mercer's defense, leading to four attempts on goal in the half.

Not one shot saw the back of the net thanks to Mercer’s goalkeeper Henry Hampshaw.

Hampshaw had two notable saves in the 32nd and the 34th minutes that Belmont's head coach David Costa called “fantastic.” 

Costa wasn’t alone in singing Hampshaw’s praises, as even Bruins fans were amazed by the goalkeeper’s performance.

Zander Crump, a 10-year-old aspiring soccer player watching the game from the stands, agreed with Costa and said, “he saved a ball that sent my head spinning.” 

Halftime sounded with both goals left untouched, until Michael Taylor became the first Belmont student to score a goal, thanks to the halftime entertainment that earned him a swag bag. 

Belmont returned from the half and picked up right where they left off, attacking the Bears’ defense once more. 

The Bears saw an opportunity to capitalize on the Bruins’ focus on offense. 

With only one shot on goal in the entire game, Mercer didn't waste its chance and managed to finally get one by the Bruins’ goalkeeper, scoring and putting Mercer up 1-0.

As Belmont’s chances to tie the game dwindled late in the 87th minute, the Bruins challenged a call that allowed them a penalty kick against Mercer’s star goalkeeper Hampshaw. 

A hush fell on the crowd as McDowell lined up his kick.

McDowell, armed with only his faith and one shot, seized his one chance. The ball whizzed past Hampshaw’s reach, securing that night's 1-1 tie. 

Belmont will need more than a tie to satisfy fans and defeat Lipscomb in their most anticipated game of the season on Tuesday’s Battle of the Boulevard matchup. 

This article was written by Chandler McGuire