Freshman Dan Meacock's (Sarasota, Fla.) goal in overtime lifted the Belmont men's soccer team (2-0-0) to a 2-1 victory over Gardner-Webb (0-2-0) in the concluding match of the Soccer for a Cure Classic in Boiling Springs, N.C. to win the Tournament.
Belmont has never started a season with two wins in the school's history.
The Bruins will return to action on Sept. 6 against Oral Roberts in Tulsa, Okla. starting at 7 p.m.
"Today was a great win for us," said Belmont head coach Earle Davidson. "We showed toughness throughout the match and had good organization."
Gravely made six saves in the contest to earn his second win of the season.
The first goal of the contest was scored by junior Justin Hay (Toronto) in the 15th minute, his first of the season. Freshman Edgardo Padilla (Grapevine, Texas) received credit for the assist, the first of his career in his second-ever game.
The Bulldogs responded with a goal in the 48th minute on a strike by Richard Gray, assisted by Zach Burkett, to tie the match early in the second half.
The game was tied through regulation before Meacock's score in the 100th minute earned the victory for the Bruins. The freshman took a through ball from freshman Will Moorad and placed home a shot into the left side of the goal.
This was the second consecutive game-winner for Meacock, who scored the lone goal in Belmont's 1-0 overtime victory over Winthrop on Aug. 29.
"Dan has had a great start to the season and is comfortable in the penalty box," said Davidson. "Scoring is a team effort and Dan has received excellent passes and setups from his teammates."
Coach Davidson is also happy with the team's successful early start. "We've started the season well and are taking care of business," said Davidson. "Winning the Classic is great, especially since the entire event was for a good cause."
The Classic was a fundraiser for the charity, Soccer For A Cure. It is a non-profit organization that is structured to help families fight the battle against all types of cancer. All of the money raised from this weekend's tournament will go to breast cancer screenings.
This particular tournament will be held in memory of Gloria Harbison, and in honor of Gayle Posipanko who is currently battling this disease now. For those of you that do not know, Mrs. Harbison and her family aided in the new facilities at the soccer complex. Gardner-Webb honored her aids by naming the new complex Greene-Harbison Stadium.
For more information, please visit http://www.soccerforacure.org/cgi-bin/sfachome1.pl