BELLEVUE, Neb. -- After playing a grueling 12 games in just 36 days to begin the season, the Bellevue University men's soccer team looked rejuvenated in 4-1 victory over Concordia University on Wednesday afternoon at Bellevue Soccer Club.
The Bruins – following an 11-day layoff – looked comfortable in the early going and mounted a 1-0 halftime advantage before erupting for three second half goals to match their highest single-game output of the season.
BU improves to within a game of .500 at 5-6-2 with their second victory in as many matches while Concordia falls to 5-3-2 on the year.
Coupland sent BU ahead in the 29th minute with his fifth goal off the year. Scott Robson sent a pass into the box from the nearside touchline that Marlon Vega got a touch on with his head and Coupland used his own head to send the ball to the back of the net.
BU kept that advantage into halftime on the strength of out-shooting their guests by a 9-5 tally in the opening 45 minutes. The Bruins doubled up the Bulldogs, 6-3, on corners in a relatively clean first half that saw just five total fouls called.
It was in the 65th minute that Rob Smith doubled Bellevue's advantage with his team-leading seventh goal of the year. Edgar Guzman sent in a cross from the near side that Smith one-touched around the defender and beat the out of position keeper for a 2-0 lead.
Andres Blanco got in on the scoring barrage in the 72nd minute with his third goal of the year. Smith sent in a corner that Blanco headed from his knees past the keeper to effectively seal the victory.
In the 76th minute, Coupland added his second goal of the game with a kick from the penalty spot. Rob Smith drew the PK with some nifty work in area to set up the insurance.
Were it not for conceding a penalty of their own, Bellevue may well have secured their second clean sheet of the season but Carlos Acosta rescued a goal in the 76th minute for the Bulldogs to avoid the blanking.
For the match, Bellevue out-shot Concordia 19-10 which included an 11-5 edge in shots on goal. Corners went 11-3 to the Bruins while BU was whistled for 11 fouls to Concordia's seven. BU keeper Ben Martin made four saves and Bulldog keeper Mark Horsburgh stopped seven shots.
BU got a strong performance from their starting back four of Corey Smith, Robson, Alejandro Pena, and Finlay Bloodworth which held the CUNE offense in check while they were in together.
Bellevue kicks off North Star Athletic Association play on Saturday, Oct. 8 with a 3 p.m. fixture in La Crosse, Wis. against Viterbo University.