NASHVILLE, TENN. - - Junior Mete Ozkan’s two goals lifted the Belmont men’s soccer team to a convincing 2-0 shutout victory over North Florida at the Whitten Soccer Complex in Nashville, Tenn. on Friday evening.

The victory lifts Belmont to 6-7-2, 3-4-1 in the Atlantic Sun, while North Florida drops to 6-8-0, 4-4-0 in the conference.

Ozkan’s first goal came in the 13th minute when he won a free ball outside of the penalty box and chipped his shot over the diving goalkeeper for the score.

Belmont outshot North Florida in the first half, 5-3. Each team attempted one corner kick in the half.

The Bruins continued to assert offensive pressure in the second half and in the 69th minute, Ozkan took a crossing pass from junior Navarda Heath on the left side of the penalty box and blitzed his shot into the net for his fourth goal of the season. Heath received credit for the assist, his team-leading fourth of the year.

“Mete was amazing tonight and contributed to some other scoring opportunities as well,” said Belmont head coach Earle Davidson.

For the match, Belmont outshot North Florida 14-5 and attempted more corner kicks, 4-2.

Sophomore Ron Gravely continued his winning ways in the match with three saves for his school season record-tying sixth shutout of the year. The reigning Atlantic Sun Defensive Player of the Week has tied the record set by Matt Renfrow in the 2003 season.

“We played well tonight, especially in the second half,” said Davidson. “We took advantage of our chances and continued to secure our spot in the Atlantic Sun Tournament.”

The Bruins will return to action on Oct. 28 for the final home match of the year against Jacksonville, beginning at 1:00 p.m. The match has been designated as “Senior Day” and the departing seniors on the Belmont team will be honored during a ceremony that will take place prior to the match.