BU attack stalls in defeat to Columbia

BU attack stalls in defeat to Columbia

OMAHA, Neb. -- A 76th minute set piece goal from Lesia Thetsane gave No. 20 Columbia College a 1-0 win over the No. 14 Bellevue University men's soccer team in a battle of ranked opponents on Wednesday evening at Caniglia Field on the University of Nebraska Omaha campus.

Records:

#14 Bellevue: 1-3-0
#20 Columbia: 2-0-0

Recap: #20 Columbia 1, #14 Bellevue 0

Neither team managed to get much going forward for the majority of the game with much of the play contained to the midfield area.

By halftime, Columbia worked up an 8-3 advantage in shots but neither side found the back of the net.

Lesia Thetsane broke the stalemate in the 76th minute. After a BU giveaway, Columbia won a free kick just outside the 18-yard box, and Thetsane – after a runover by a teammate – hit the target low and down the middle to put the Cougars 1-0 up.

The Bruins were unable to muster anything at the other end as they managed just one shot – wide of goal – the rest of the way.

Bellevue managed just five shots in the game, landing just two on target – one each from Inaki Aldao and Alex Cuenca.

AJ Jarvis made four stops in goal for the Bruins while Ryan Harrisskitt made a pair of saves for the Cougars.

Coach Mark Heath-Preston:

"We controlled the game for the most part and didn't allow our opposition a shot inside the box or a clear-cut chance. We again have a poor pass away which led to the free kick. After the goal we showed no character to get back into the game which was disappointing."

Man of the Match:

Alex Cuenca -- He was very involved in the defensive effort, making numerous recoveries to thwart attacking opportunities as well as several timely tackles.

Up Next:

Bellevue venture to Sterling, Kan. on Saturday, Aug. 31 for a 5 p.m. kick-off against Sterling College from the SC Soccer Field.