Ian Rees scores his second goal for the Camels on Saturday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

BUIES CREEK — Ian Rees scored two goals and Campbell defeated Belmont 5-2 in the men’s soccer home opener for the Camels on Saturday night at the Eakes Athletic Complex.

Alex Egeonu, J.J. Donnelly and Gideon Betz also scored for the Camels (1-2), who trailed early, took a 2-1 halftime lead, and finally concluded the night with three unanswered goals.

Belmont (0-2) went in front in the 17th minute on Adam Voloder’s right-footed effort inside the box. However, the Camels pulled even when Gabe Parrish split the Belmont back four with a well-placed pass and Egeonu lifted the ball over Bruins keeper Nicolo Dini.

With only 1:57 remaining until halftime, Thibaut Jacquel lofted a corner kick into the Belmont box that rattled around before Rees scored from about eight yards out to give the Camels a 2-1 lead at the break.

Belmont nearly drew even in the 53rd minute when Matteo Bennati’s right-footed effort from the top of the box banged off the crossbar. In the 59th, Samuel Lechuga kept the Camels in front with a reaction save on Daniel Twizer’s shot.

The visitors did draw level at 2-2 at the 61:12 mark on Twizer’s goal from Niccolo Dagnoni’s service.

Only 2:35 later, Campbell regained the lead when the preseason Big South Co-Attacking Player of the Year Donnelly scored his first goal of the season. Edward Fulwood served the ball forward, Jacquel flicked on a header, and Donnelly deposited a right-footed shot inside the near post.

Jacquel’s 25-yard free kick sailed over the wall and was headed to the left corner, but Dini was able to deflect the attempt for a corner kick.

Campbell doubled the margin in the 71st minute when Ben Morrison lofted a long throw into the box. Belmont cleared the ball, but not away and Rees hammered a low, right-footed shot from outside the box inside the right corner of the net.

The Camels added their final goal in the 77th minute when Oberli took a return pass from Alemu Mercer-Miko on a short corner and slid the ball into the area. Rees touched the pass on to Betz, who was forward from his center back spot, turned and hit a right-footed blast just under the crossbar into the top of the net.

Campbell finished with a 14-13 edge in shots, with 11 of the Camels’ attempts on target. Dini made six saves, while Lechuga had five stops for CU.

Saturday’s win marked the 10th straight for Campbell over its former Atlantic Sun Conference rival, which is now an associate member of the Southern Conference in men’s soccer.

CU opens Big South Conference play Tuesday with a 7 p.m. start at USC Upstate.

(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)

CU’s J.J. Donnelly (right) seeks control against Belmont.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Gabe Parrish has the ball between Belmont players in a 5-2 CU win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

J.J. Donnelly heads the ball toward the Belmont goal.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Alex Egeonu scores Campbell’s first goal in the 29th minute.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Ian Rees scores Campbell’s second goal on Saturday evening.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

George Bediko puts a shot on goal for the Camels.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

J.J. Donnelly scores CU’s third goal in the 64th minute.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)