LIMA, Ohio -- The #17 Bellevue University men's soccer team took a lead into halftime but #18 Northwestern Ohio scored a pair of second half goals to defeat the Bruins 2-1 on Friday afternoon in their first of two games this weekend at the UNOH Racer Classic.
For much of the early portion of the game, UNOH controlled possession and tempo but it was Bellevue who struck first. In the 24th minute, against the flow of play, Amador Rangel played a ball ahead that Andres Blanco lobbed into the back of the net for the 1-0 BU advantage. The goal was the second of the season for Blanco.
UNOH held the ball for the majority of the remainder of the half but were unable to find an equalizer and Bellevue took a 1-0 lead into intermission.
The Bruin defense kept their shape well and withstood a consistent Racer attack rebuffing advance after advance for the first hour of this one.
Eventually, however, Northwestern Ohio broke through with a 63rd minute goal. Carlos Monterrey deflected deflected a shot from Pepe Cejudo past the keeper and into the back of the net.
The Racers grabbed the lead in the 68th minute on a goal from Sean Latimer. Latimer took a pass from Monterrey and sent home the eventual game-winner.
From there the host side held on for the 2-1 victory. Nikola Kahvedzic had little else to do in net for UNOH to earn the win as no Bruin shots found their way on target following the Blanco goal.
Ben Martin was active in goal for the purple and gold, making six saves on eight shots on target while also handling numerous crosses and balls in the air.
The Racers out-shot their guests 13-3 for the match which included a 8-1 edge in shots on goal. UNOH also won 12 corner kicks compared to the Bruins' zero. Northwestern Ohio improves to 2-0-1 with their second victory in a row.
Bellevue (1-3-1) returns to the pitch on Sunday, Sept. 4 with a 1 p.m. kick-off against #5 Davenport.