BELMONT, N.C. – The Belmont Abbey men's soccer team opened its 2023 campaign with a 2-2 draw against USC Aiken Thursday at Alumni Field. The Crusaders scored a pair of goals to open the match before the Pacers answered with two goals in the second half to pull even. 
 
Alexander Ljusberg and Pat Cormier both scored goals in their Abbey debuts while Walter Gomez and Davis McBee had an assist each.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Four Crusaders made their first starts for Belmont Abbey tonight: Anthony Armas, Felipe Baptista along with Ljusberg and Gomez.
• Pat Hissim also made his Crusader debut and played all 45 minutes of the second half.
• Ljusberg put the Abbey ahead quickly within the first 10 minutes after scoring on a breakaway.
• Pat Cormier added a second goal half an hour later for The Abbey.
• USC Aiken scored twice in 2:26 during the second half with Jose Rabadan scoring the first goal and assisting on the equalizer.
• The Crusaders outshot the Pacers 14-10 and both teams had five shots on goal.
• Will Whitman got the start in goal and finished with three saves.

 
UP NEXT

• The Belmont Abbey men's soccer team continues its season-opening home stand with a match against Saint Andrews at 7 p.m. Saturday at Alumni Field. 
• Saturday's contest will mark the second of five straight home games to open the season for The Abbey.