Box Score
ORANGE BEACH, Ala.- The Belhaven men's soccer team scored early and often on its way to a 3-0 win over Embry-Riddle University (FL) Friday night. The Blazers, ranked 4^th in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll, connected on all three goals in the opening 27 minutes of the match and then held off the Eagles for their sixth straight victory to start the season. Junior forward Will Monsour, the NAIA's leading scorer heading into the match, fired in two of the goals and assisted on the other to spearhead the offense.
 
It didn't take long for Monsour to get going, delivering what would prove to be the game winner in the third minute. The scoring sequence started when senior forward Loic Miliani blasted a shot that was saved goalkeeper Tyler Magee to keep the Blazers off the board. However, Miliani got it back and served it to Monsour who fired it past Magee for a 1-0 lead.
 
In the 16^th minute, sophomore midfielder Victor Lawrence with the aid of Monsour, extended Belhaven's lead to 2-0 with his fifth goal of the season. Monsour then added the night's third goal in the 27^th minute when he teamed up with Miliani again to make it a 3-0 contest.
 
The Blazers seem to have found a potent combination on offense with Monsour and Miliani driving the attack. Monsour now has a team leading 12 goals while Miliani owns a team high six assists on the year. Miliani was also 11^th in the nation in assists coming into Friday's match.
 
Not to be overshadowed by Monsour and Milliani on offense, junior goalkeeper Carl Blundell turned in his best performance of the year so far with a season high six saves. Although they didn't score, the Eagles had some chances and put pressure on the Belhaven defense. Fortunately, Blundell and the defense were up to the challenge and kept Embry-Riddle (1-3) off the board to preserve the shutout. Blundell earned his sixth win and third shutout of the year for his efforts on Friday night.
 
“Coming into the game we knew how strong Embry-Riddle was and after playing them I was even more impressed,” said Belhaven Head Coach Brian McMahon. “I felt the difference in the game was being able to handle their high pressure in our decision making. They were a very talented attacking team and very deserving of any recognition they get.”
 
Belhaven (6-0) outshot Embry-Riddle 18-12, although in the shots on goal department the stats were identical with each team collecting seven. Monsour and Miliani each had four shot attempts for the Blazers while Viktor Gudnason unloaded four attempts for the Eagles. Magee took the loss in net for Embry-Riddle, allowing three goals with four saves.
 
Belhaven will take the field again on Saturday against 15^th ranked University of Texas-Brownsville. The matchup is the NAIA's Game of the Week and fans can get an inside look into the contest by clicking here. The kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM in Orange Beach, Alabama.