NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont women’s soccer team (12-5-2, 6-4-1 A-Sun) notched its record 12th shutout of the season on Wednesday night at the Whitten Soccer Complex. The Bruins defeated visiting Lipscomb (4-14-1, 2-8-1 A-Sun) in the Battle of the Boulevard, 3-0. The victory completed the sweep of Belmont sports teams who did not lose to any Bisons team during the fall season. The Bruins will also carry a two-game win streak heading into their final regular season game this weekend.

The Bruins dominated the match from the opening whistle, keeping the ball deep in Lipscomb territory for the majority of the first stanza. Sophomore Elizabeth Bublis (Norman, Okla.) and junior Anna Holt (Nashville, Tenn.) led several attacks that helped keep the momentum in BU’s favor. In the 14th minute, a near perfect corner kick by Holt fed senior Kassidy Brown (Franklin, Tenn.), who launched a header deep inside the box. However, Katie Shelton was able to stop the play from becoming Belmont’s first goal of the night. The Bruins recorded six more shots in the half but were unable to get the ball past Shelton before the end of the first half.

After the break, the Bruins wasted no time in attacking deep in Lipscomb territory. With less than a minute ticked off the clock, sophomore Alex Mindel (Marietta, Ga.) launched a shot toward the Bisons net but a Lipscomb defender managed to block it at the last second. Freshman Jessica Rix (Carmel, Ind.) put a boot on the rebound from Mindel’s attempt but the ball sailed over the crossbar.

Finally, BU broke the 0-0 stalemate in the 66th minute when junior Jamie Bullock (Franklin, Tenn.) found the back of the net for her first goal of the season. Less than three minutes later, senior Jennifer Rix (Carmel, Ind.) also notched her first goal of the season to put the Bruins up, 2-0. The Bruin defense continued to frustrate Lipscomb and kept the ball from crossing the midfield line. In the span of a minute, BU was awarded three corner kicks in a row which kept the momentum high in the team’s favor. Rookie Marcela Sanchez (Hendersonville, Tenn.) was able to capitalize and pick up her first career goal in the 85th minute to put the game away for good.

Belmont dominated in shots, 22-2, and corner kicks, 13-1.

Shelton recorded 11 saves for the Bisons while senior Micaela Crowley (Hoover, Ala.) only came away with one on the night. Sophomore Zirka Thompson (Alpharetta, Ga.) played the last two and a half minutes to let the senior keeper enjoy the last home match of her college career. Senior Sarah Brandt (Hendersonville, Tenn.) picked up assists on Jennifer Rix’s and Sanchez’s goals. Freshman Patience Whitten (Germantown, Tenn.) led the team with five shots, followed by Mindel, Jennifer Rix and senior Lauren Uremovich (Plano, Texas), who each contributed three shots on the night.

“This is the best Lipscomb team we have played against since I have been here at Belmont,” said Head Coach Lisa Howe. “They have a good goalkeeper.

“I was really happy with us creating a high percentage of scoring opportunities throughout the game and keeping the ball alive inside the box.

“Now we just have to keep playing this way as we head into the conference tournament.”

Belmont returns to action on Saturday. The Bruins will travel to Alabama for their final match of the season at Samford. Match time is set for 7 p.m.