NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- Chattanooga carried a first-half lead into the break, but Belmont scored twice in the second half to hand the Mocs a 2-1 setback Thursday evening at E.S. Rose Park.
"Tough match," Mocs head coach
Gavin McKinney said. "We made it for more difficult than it needed to be. Credit to Belmont for finding a way to get the result. We'll learn from it and look forward to a much-improved performance on Sunday."
The Mocs struck first in the 22
nd minute when
Emma Reeves found the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
Landry Olson delivered a free kick into the box. The ball deflected off a Bruin before Reeves, with her back to the net, headed it in as Chattanooga converted one of its limited first-half opportunities to take a 1-0 advantage.
Belmont controlled much of the attacking play throughout the match, holding a 13-6 advantage in shots and a 7-4 edge in shots on goal. Chattanooga goalkeeper
Caroline Ekern kept the Bruins at bay through the opening 45 minutes, recording three first-half saves as the Mocs carried their lead into halftime.
The Bruins eventually broke through at the 65:04 mark when Kate Virtel scored the equalizer, leveling the match at 1-1.
Chattanooga pressed late, earning three second-half corner kicks and placing three shots on target after the break, but Belmont goalkeeper Greta Genie made two second-half saves to keep the match tied.
Belmont found the winner in the 78th minute as Reagan Ross, returning after a season-ending injury in 2025 sidelined her, finished a chance from Meredith Koltz, putting the Bruins ahead 2-1 with 12:37 remaining.
The Mocs pressed for an equalizer over the final minutes but were unable to find a second goal before the final whistle.
Ekern finished with five saves for Chattanooga, while Reeves accounted for the Mocs lone goal.
Quinn Johnson led Chattanooga with four shots and three shots on goal.
The Mocs return home to host Austin Peay Sunday at Finely Stadium at 1:00 p.m. Admission is free to all Chattanooga Mocs home soccer matches.
Notes
- Chattanooga moved to 1-1-1 on the season.
- Emma Reeves scored her first goal of the season.
- Landry Olson recorded her first assist of the year.
- Quinn Johnson led the Mocs with four shots and three shots on goal.
- Caroline Ekern played all 90 minutes and made five saves.
- Belmont outshot Chattanooga 13-6 and held a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Mocs scored on their first shot on goal of the match in the 22nd minute.
- Chattanooga earned three corner kicks, all coming in the second half.
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