Cross Country
After strong performances from both the men’s and women’s teams, the cross country team placed second in the OVC Championship this past weekend.
All eight runners for the men’s team placed in the top-27, including senior Matt Miller who placed fifth. Miller recorded a 8K time of 24:49.27, marking his fourth top-five finish of the season.
The men’s team finished seven points ahead of tournament host Morehead State.
On the women’s side, four runners placed in the top-20 including sophomore Hannah Wittman who placed third with a 5K time of 17:50.28.
OVC Freshman of the Year Molly Foster finished eighth with a time of 18:21.56. The women’s team finished 29 points over the third place winners Eastern Illinois.
After the championship meet, six Bruins were named to the All-OVC team. Both Miller and Wittman earned All-OVC First Team Honors. Marcus Bridger-Wilkinson, David Everett, Maggie Harahan, and Foster were all named to the All-OVC Second Team.
Belmont will compete in the NCAA South Regionals in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Men’s Soccer (5-9-2)
10/31 vs Incarnate Word
The men’s soccer team fell in heartbreaking fashion Thursday afternoon as the Bruins dropped a 3-2 contest against Incarnate Word.
As time was winding down in the final three minutes of regulation, Victor Pinal scored the game winner to lead the Cardinals to a 3-2 victory.
The Bruins were the first to find the scoreboard in the 12th minute after senior Nico Olsak recorded his first goal of the season on the pass from sophomore Alfred Edmonds.
Incarnate Word evened the score in the 31st minute with the goal from Alex De La Garza. The Cardinals would eventually take the lead in the 61st minute on the goal from Victor Pinal.
Edmonds found the equalizer 20 minutes later on the pass from freshman AJ Arnold to tie the game and hopefully send it into overtime.
However the Bruins could not find a way to stop Pinal, who scored his second of the night to secure the victory for Incarnate Word.
Freshman keeper Grayson Rector recorded a career-high eight saves on the afternoon.
The team will honor its senior class tomorrow night against Western Illinois for the final home match of the season.
Women’s Soccer (7-8-2, 5-4-1 OVC)
11/01 vs. Tennessee Tech
The women’s soccer team sent out the senior class with one last victory, shutting out Tennessee Tech 2-0 Friday night.
Junior Taylor Smith recorded the first goal of the match in the 29th minute off a cross from sophomore Emily Epley.
In the 54th minute of play, junior Meredith Martin doubled the lead with a header off the rebound by Cassie Blase.
Belmont dominated the shot column with a combined total of 24 shots, 15 of which were on goal. The Bruins’ defense held the Golden Eagles to just two shots on the night.
Senior Nicole Berner earned the shutout victory with two saves. Berner is among five seniors that were honored prior to the game, including Amy Jo Anderson, Jennifer Collins, Emily Jones, and Katie Proud. The team finished the 2013 season with a 7-8-2 overall record while going 5-4-1 in Ohio Valley Conference play.
Women’s Golf
The women’s golf team rounded up the fall portion of its season placing ninth at the UAB Fall Beach Blast with a 36-hole score of 612.
Junior Sydney Hudson earned her third top-10 finish after carding a 75 in the final round. Freshman Abbie Gregory placed in the top-20 with a mark of 150 after she shot a final round score of 77.
Volleyball
11/01 @ Austin Peay
After completing a four-game home stand, the volleyball team started its weekend road trip with a sweep of Austin Peay Friday night. (25-20, 25-23, 25-18).
The Governors looked to force a fourth set after jumping out to an early lead during the third and later on tying the set at nine. But the Bruins stringed together a 9-1 run to put the set out of reach and complete the sweep.
Senior setter Hannah Miranda led the team with 35 assists, while fellow senior Jamie Lundstrom earned 15 digs. Allison McCoy and Scarlett Gable combined for a total of 25 kills.
11/02 @ Murray State
Belmont extended its win streak to eight games after defeating Murray State in four sets on Saturday.
After Murray State won the opening set 25-21, the Bruins bounced back in the remaining sets, 25-20, 25-17, 25-18 to secure the victory.
During the final set, both teams remained close with one another until a error from the Racers sparked a 6-0 run for the Bruins to take the 20-13 lead and eventually win the set.
Senior Jen Myer recorded a double-double with 18 digs and a team-high 17 kills. Lundstrom led the team once again with 22 digs while Miranda
Men’s Basketball
Senior JJ Mann has been named a candidate among the list of 30 men’s basketball players for the annual Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.
The award is presented each year to the senior student-athlete who has had notable achievements in areas of community, classroom, character, and competition.
Mann became the seventh Bruin to receive recognition as a nominee for the award. The senior was also named to the Preseason All-OVC Team.
Former Bruins standout Ian Clark made the 15-man roster for the Utah Jazz, making his NBA debut on Friday against the Phoenix Suns. Clark produced three rebounds, one steal and one block in nine minutes of action.
Prior to the season-opener against Lipscomb on Friday, the Belmont Vision will publish its annual season preview on Thursday. The preview will look at the slew of tough opponents the Bruins will face during the regular season as well as position breakdowns.
Women’s Basketball
Senior Jordyn Luffman was named to the Preseason All-OVC Team, becoming the first women’s player to receive this honor.
On Wednesday, the Belmont Vision will publish a sit-down Q & A featuring new women’s head coach Cameron Newbauer, followed by a season preview on Friday. The preview will take a look at the first season under the helm of Coach Newbauer and feature schedule and position breakdowns.