Unbeaten run continues with scoreless draw at McPherson

Bellevue stretched their unbeaten streak to eight games to open the season with a 0-0 draw at McPherson on Saturday afternoon.

Finlay Bloodworth was chosen as Man of the Match after helping BU post their fourth shutout of the season on Saturday afternoon.
Finlay Bloodworth was chosen as Man of the Match after helping BU post their fourth shutout of the season on Saturday afternoon.
September 8, 2018

McPHERSON, Kan. -- In a hotly contested affair that saw seven yellow cards and a red card issued the No. 16 Bellevue University men's soccer team stayed unbeaten as they picked up a 0-0 draw against McPherson College on Saturday afternoon at McPherson Stadium.

Records:

#16 Bellevue: 6-0-2
McPherson: 0-2-1

Recap: #16 Bellevue 0, McPherson 0

McPherson started the game strong, out-shooting Bellevue 9-4 (2-0 on goal) in the opening 45 minutes but Bellevue won a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks. Despite the flurry of chances for both sides the game advanced to halftime scoreless.

The second half saw the game level out with BU narrowly edging the home side 7-5 in shots while shots on goal were level at four apiece.

BU had dangerous set pieces late in regulation and during the first overtime, however, the effort at the end of regulation was blocked by the McPherson wall and the attempt in overtime went wide of goal.

The Bruins' last effort, a late header, went wide of goal and the stalemate prevailed.

AJ Jarvis made four stops in goal to pick up his fourth clean sheet of the season.

McPherson's DeShaun Ruiz made six saves after coming on in the 32nd minute as an injury replacement for starter Thomas Kleywegt.

The Bulldogs out-shot BU on the game by a 15-12 margin but were themselves out-shot 6-4 in attempts on goal. The corner kick battle also went to the Bruins by a 9-4 margin.

Man of the Match:

Finlay Bloodworth

Coach Mark Heath-Preston:

"We had good chances to win the game at the end but 0-0 was probably the fair result. Kortlan Franke played really well for us again. We are happy with the development he has made over the past few weeks."

Up Next:

Bellevue travels to Sioux City, Iowa on Wednesday, Sept. 12 where they take on Briar Cliff University (2-1-0). Kick-off is set for 5 p.m. at Faber Field.

Notes:

  • Bellevue's eight-match unbeaten run this season is their longest in a single season since closing out the 2016 season with nine-straight wins.
  • Dating back to last season, the Bruins are unbeaten in their last 13 (10-0-3) matches. That's the program's longest such streak since the 2006 season in which they won 13-straight from Sept. 15-Nov. 10.