Box Score
BARBOURVILLE, Ky.-The Belhaven men's soccer team opened the 2012 season in fine fashion over weekend, claiming a pair of victories at the Union College Bulldog Classic. The Blazers wrapped up the road trip on Saturday by grabbing a 4-1 win over the host Bulldogs after opening the tournament with a convincing 6-0 shutout of Georgetown College (KY) on Friday.

Things didn't start well for Belhaven (2-0) as Union jumped in front early on a goal in the fourth minute by Joe Butcher. However, the Bulldogs didn't have the edge for long as junior Will Monsour powered home the equalizer in the sixth minute with help from senior Guilherme Sousa on the assist. Sousa threaded a perfect pass to Monsour from the 50 yard line and Monsour did the rest, firing it in from 10 yards out.

Monsour struck again in the 17th minute by notching the go ahead goal from an assist by sophomore Victor Lawrence. Monsour earned his second game winning goal and closed the two day tournament with five goals to his credit. He had 10 goals last season and is off to a great start in 2012 after two outstanding matches over the weekend.

The Blazers, ranked 17th in the Preseason NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, continued to keep the pressure on and added two more scores in the second half to ice the match. Lawrence connected on his third goal of the season in minute 47 and this time it was Monsour who provided the assist on a cross in front of the net. Eduardo Cruz picked Belhaven's fourth unanswered goal of the match, and his first of the season, on a penalty kick in the 66th minute to cap the scoring.

“I was proud of the guys for battling back from an early goal that put us behind,” said Belhaven Head Coach Brian McMahon. “Credit should be given to Union; they played with emotion and high energy. It was a great test for us this weekend on the road and we were able to play a lot of guys on our bench who were big contributors in the wins.”

As a team, Belhaven had a slight edge in shot attempts (13-10) and ended the match with seven shots on goal. Blazer goalie Carl Blundell worked all 90 minutes in net and tallied his second victory of the season. Blundell allowed one goal and turned away one other shot attempt by Union's Joe Woodley.

Belhaven will head to Montgomery, AL next weekend to meet up with Savannah College of Art and Design (GA) on Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM in the opening contest of the Auburn University-Montgomery tournament. The Blazers will then clash with Tennessee Wesleyan College on Saturday at 1:00 PM in Montgomery.