Belmont men's soccer eliminated by UIC 1-0 in MVC opening round
AJ Sabanovic scored in the 58th minute for the fifth-seeded Flames at E.S. Rose Park; Belmont ends 6-7-4.
NASHVILLE - Belmont's men's soccer season ended Saturday evening with a 1-0 loss to Illinois Chicago in the opening round of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship at E.S. Rose Park, according to Belmont's official recap.
The fifth-seeded Flames scored in the 58th minute when AJ Sabanovic finished a redirected ball inside the six-yard box, assisted by Carlos Nevarez and Martin Montoya. UIC outshot fourth-seeded Belmont 11-3 in the second half and had 18 shots overall, nine on target.
Belmont freshman goalkeeper Brody Sucher made a career-high eight saves. UIC goalkeeper Owen Cornell made four, including a diving stop on John McDowell in the 17th minute and a late save on an Aiden Pierpoint header.
The loss ended Belmont's seven-match home unbeaten streak. The Bruins finished 6-7-4. Sophomore Paul Claes Nielsen, named MVC Midfielder of the Year earlier Saturday, recorded his 50th shot of the season, the first Bruin to reach that mark since 2019, the school said.
Source: Belmont Athletics: UIC slips past Belmont in MVC Men's Soccer Championship (Nov. 7, 2026).