CRETE, Neb. -- After the first 24 minutes of play were scoreless, the No. 12-ranked Bellevue University men's soccer team went on a late first period run as they collected four goals from four players in less than 14 minutes en route to a 6-1 victory over Doane College in the season opener for both teams.
Mark Heath-Preston scored two goals and collected an assist to lead the Bruins (1-0). Doane (0-1) picked up their lone goal on a penalty kick by Devon Strecker.
Junior Ryan Cantello scored the first Bruin goal of the season at the 24:02 mark on a corner kick from senior Milan Ivanovic.
The Bruins wasted no time in adding to their lead as Heath-Preston found the back of the net two and a half minutes later on an assist from junior Tom White.
Freshman Graeme Eaglesham scored his first collegiate goal at 35:41 on a pass from Julio Estrada to give the Bruins a 3-0 edge.
Bellevue registered its fourth goal of the first half when White scored off a corner kick at the 37:48 mark. Cantello and Heath-Preston were credited with the assist.
Doane cut the lead to 4-1 at 55:30 on Strecker's penalty kick.
Senior Casey Friend answered just over a minute later with an unassisted goal. Heath-Preston tallied his second goal at the 88:09 mark off an Ivanovic pass to complete the game's scoring.
The Bruins outshot Doane 25-13 on the night and held a 14-6 edge in shots on goal.
Junior goal keeper Sebastian Narvaez earned the win, recording five saves in 71 minutes of action.
Bellevue will host Iowa Wesleyan at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at Tranquility Park in its home opener.
