Belmont University’s men’s soccer team heads into the 2019 season hoping to see new additions bring success on the pitch.
During the 2018 season, the Bruins competed in the Southern Conference for the first time, finishing as the number six team with an overall record of 4-12-2.
Fans can expect to see 13 returning players, including sophomores Ares Marlonsson and Niccolo Dagnoni, who together snagged seven goals and nine assists during the 2018 season.
The Bruins welcome nine newcomers to the program, including five transfers and four freshmen.
Crucial offensive powerhouse Matteo Bennati — who lead the team with seven goals during the 2018 season — will not be returning.
Along with the new players, head coach David Costa added two new members to his coaching staff, both with dynamic backgrounds. During the 2018 season, Costa took the Bruins to the quarterfinals of Southern Conference Tournament.
New assistant coach Jordan Taylor joins Belmont after spending three years as an assistant coach for Mount Vernon Nazarene University and most recently worked as Director of Operations for the University of Cincinnati.
The Bruin staff will also be gaining new goalkeeping coach Louis Liberatore who joins after working as director of goalkeeping for Tennessee Soccer Club. In 2018, Liberatore was listed as a “30 under 30” from the United Soccer Coaches for his achievements in the soccer community.
Belmont will once again be taking on the University of Memphis on Sept. 17 on its home turf who, during the 2018 season, swept the Bruins 3-0.
The team will host its first conference match against the University of North Carolina at Greensboro on Oct. 15 at E.S. Rose Park.
This article written by Marissa Avnaim.