Offensive outburst leads Bruins past Doane in opener

Senior Travis Hurd (#10) scored twice and added an assist in his Man of the Match performance on Friday
Senior Travis Hurd (#10) scored twice and added an assist in his Man of the Match performance on Friday

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Travis Hurd scored twice and added an assist to pace a high-powered attack as the Bellevue University men's soccer team blanked Doane University 5-0 in the season-opener for both squads on Friday evening at Bellevue Soccer Club.

BU turned in a dominating performance, out-shooting Doane by a 31-2 margin (15-0 on frame) and winning 10 corners without conceding any.

AJ Jarvis went unchallenged in goal to earn the win for the Bruins.

Nishesh Yadav made 10 saves for Doane who played nearly the entire match in their defensive half of the field.

In addition to Hurd, Inaki Aldao was active on the scoresheet. He scored the opener in the 13th minute after taking a pass from Hurd and shot back across his body to beat the Yadav.

Hurd found the back of the net in the 36th and 71st minutes. His first goal came on a long-range effort to the upper 90; his second came after he forced a turnover and blasted a shot low and hard from the top of the box.

Emil Gebelhoff scored in his Bruin debut off a set piece in the 23rd minute. Toby Millward won a free kick just outside of the box and Gebelhoff sent a shot over the wall to the far post.

Aboubakar Tchalombo scored his first goal as a Bruin in the 27th minute. Aldao gave him a pass in the box and he beat the keeper in a one-on-one situation.

Doane didn't attempt their first shot until the 21st minute and took just one chance in each half.

Coach Mark Heath-Preston:

"It's a good starting point for us. We play #7 Columbia on Wednesday so our focus is on the next game now. I was really happy with the attitude of our players throughout the game. (Captain) Jacob Pease led the team really well throughout the game."

The Bruins (1-0-0) return to action on Wednesday, Aug. 22 when they head to Columbia, Mo. for a 7 p.m. match against #7 Columbia College at R. Marvin Owens Field.

Notes:

  • The win was Bellevue's first in a season-opener since 2010 when they defeated MidAmerica Nazarene, 1-0 (current coach Mark Heath-Preston scored the lone goal in the 19th minute).
  • BU remains unbeaten in season-openers under coach Mark Heath-Preston (1-0-2).
  • Bellevue remains unbeaten all-time in the series against Doane, improving to 9-0-1 with the win.