NASHVILLE, TENN. - - The Belmont men’s soccer team earned a 0-0 draw in its’ Atlantic Sun opener at Lipscomb in the “Battle of the Boulevard,” before a Lipscomb-attendance record 1,826 spectators at the Lipscomb Soccer Complex in Nashville, Tenn. on Friday. The draw extended Belmont’s unbeaten streak to five games, which is the longest in men’s soccer history. Freshman T.J. Brown of Belmont was named the co-MVP of the match along with Jake Goergen of Lipscomb.

The draw places Belmont at 3-3-2, while Lipscomb now stands at 1-5-1.

Belmont now owns an 8-2-1 lifetime record against Lipscomb in Division I play.

Sophomore Ron Gravely made four saves for the Bruins to earn his third shutout of the season and the second in the last two games. Gravely hasn’t allowed a goal in 252:58 and the last score he allowed was in Belmont’s 2-1 double overtime victory over Central Arkansas on Sept. 21.

Belmont outshot Lipscomb 12-6 in the first half and had two corner kicks, while the Bison had three.

The Bruins had numerous chances to score in the second half. Junior Navarda Heath was able to penetrate the Lipscomb defense in the 65th minute and have a breakaway, but pushed the shot wide of the net. Sophomore Wade Wonderlin also had a shot in the 77th minute that went wide. Belmont’s last shot in regulation came from senior Derrick Henry in the 89th minute, but the attempt was blocked.’

Belmont finished regulation with 23 shots, while Lipscomb had only 10.

The Bruins made one last push in the second overtime and in the 118th minute, senior Ian Schinelli dribbled past two defenders on the left side of the penalty box and placed a blistering shot to the upper right side of the net, but Goergen made a diving save to preserve the tie for the Bisons.

Belmont outshot Lipscomb, 27-10, and the Bisons attempted more corner kicks, 7-6.

Goergen made nine saves for Lipscomb in net for the match.

“I think we played well,” said Belmont head coach Earle Davidson. “We had some chances to score in the second half, but to earn a point on the road in the conference opener is good.”

Coach Davidson was also impressed with the road turnout for the Belmont fans.

“Our fans were outstanding tonight,” said Davidson. “They were vocal and created an awesome atmosphere for tonight’s match.”

Belmont had lost its last two conference openers before Friday’s match. The Bruins have also not dropped an Atlantic Sun road opener the past two years, as Belmont won at Jacksonville, 2-0, in last season’s match on Oct. 12, 2006.

The Bruins will return to action on Oct. 5 at Gardner-Webb in Boiling Springs, N.C. beginning at 5:00 p.m.