Ascenzo's Seven Saves Headline Defensive Stalemate

LA CROSSE, Wis.  – The Viterbo University Men's Soccer team battled Bellevue University (Neb.) in a nonconference match on Wednesday afternoon, and the game ended in a 0-0 tie. The V-Hawks now hold a 1-0-2 record, while the Bruins sit at 1-2-2.

Bellevue would be on the attack to start the defensive bout, with a shot and three straight corners in the first five minutes. Polyzois Douvas would record the first shot on goal of the game in the 14^th minute, but it would be saved by Taariq Ganga. Santiago Tellez would have his own shot saved eight minutes later, then, with a chance at a penalty kick, hit the left post and bounced the wrong way. After three quick attempts by the Bruins all failed, Ernesto Ascenzo would grab his first save of the day at 27:18. Each team would take a pair of shots before the half, but none would be on target.

Ascenzo started the second half with two more saves, and while each team would get chances at corner kicks, there would be nearly 15 minutes until the next shot attempt. Conner Erdmann had a shot land on goal at 72:54, and with less than six minutes left Ascenzo would save four shots on goal to keep the Bruins scoreless. The V-Hawks would have one final chance to score, with a corner at the buzzer, but Alvaro Iglesias' header would narrowly miss right.

Three different V-Hawks would have multiple shots, while Douvas, Tellez, and Iglesias would have shots land on goal. Seven different Bruins had a shot on target.

Ernesto Ascenzo (T, 1-0-2) had seven saves, while Jared Robles (T, 1-2-2) had three.

The V-Hawks return to action on Monday, September 4 as they host Carleton College (Minn.) at 4:30 PM.