Hedge's goal with five seconds left lifts Bellevue over Mside

PAPILLION, Neb. -- Fletcher Hedge scored with five seconds left to break a 1-1 tie and give the No. 7-ranked Bellevue University men's soccer team a 2-1 win over Morningside University on Saturday evening.

Bellevue continues their perfect start to the season, improving to 6-0-0 while Morningside falls to 2-4-0.

The Bruins looked the aggressor throughout much of the first half culminating in a fury of offensive activity in the final two minutes of the period including a shot by Ombeni Mubake ringing off the cross bat and Kenshin Akimoto missing the follow-up wide left.

Despite 13 combined shots in the first half, the game proceeded to halftime scoreless.

Bellevue mounted a good deal of pressure, including another shot off the cross bar, before finally breaking through in the 68^th minute. Jeremiah Hteh's initial shot from distance was saved by keeper Tim Teschner though he was unable to corral the loose ball and Akimoto slotted home the rebound for a 1-0 BU lead.

Just 90 seconds later, Morningside had a counterattack with Niklas Kneller streaking into the box but his shot was blocked wide.

A defensive misstep in the 74^th minute saw Kneller again carry the ball deep into the penalty area, this time opting to send a cross to Max Sickenberger in the middle of the goal. Sickenberger redirected the pass into the back of the net to tie the game.

After equalizing, the Mustangs generally appeared content to play for a draw failing to register another shot the rest of the way.

A Morningside foul and a quick restart led to Mubake carrying the ball deep into the Mustang end. He sent a centering pass to Kyi Nicholson atop the penalty arc and Nicholson fed Fletcher Hedge on the near-side who unleashed an 18-yard screamer back across goal and into the upper corner with just five seconds showing on the referee's watch.

It was the second time this week that Bellevue secured the winning strike in the game's final minute.

Bellevue out-shot Morningside 20-9 on the evening, piling up a 7-3 advantage in shots. Corner kicks finished even at six apiece. Morningside was whistled for 19 fouls and Bellevue just 10.

Tim Teschner finished with five saves in goal for Morningside and Taariq Ganga made two saves for BU.

Bellevue travels to the Sooner State this week for a pair of matches at Oklahoma City University (Thursday, 7:30 p.m.) and Science & Arts (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.).