OMAHA, Neb. - Junior Kate Petersen (Springfield, Neb.) is establishing herself as a dangerous two-way player for the Bruins. The center back scored the game-winning goal and her presence disrupted Statesmen threats as the Bellevue University women's soccer team defeated William Penn University, 2-0, in non-conference action at Omaha South High School's Collin Stadium.
With the victory, Bellevue improves to 4-0-0 on the season while the loss drops William Penn to 3-4-0 this year. For Bellevue, it was the third time this season that they've held their opponents without a goal.
William Penn had some early opportunities early, earning three corner kicks in the span of less than one minute but the steady back line of the Bruins, led by Petersen, thrice turned Statesmen crosses away to alleviate the pressure.
The Bruins had a great chance to score in the sixth minute when senior Mercy Darkoah (Sheffield, England) delivered a beautiful cross from just outside the penalty area to junior Betsy Fischenich (Omaha, Neb.) who was streaking down the middle of the field unimpeded but was unable to catch up with the pass and thus unable to get a shot off.
BU broke through when Petersen opened the scoring in the 15th minute with her second goal of the season. Bellevue dominated possession for much of the early going and earned their first corner kick in the 15th minute. Sophomore Lauren Clark (Portsmouth, England) delivered a terrific corner cross above the reach of every William Penn player to a place where only the 5'9" Petersen could reach it and with a powerful header put BU ahead 1-0.
Bellevue had a golden opportunity to double their advantage in the 30th minute when William Penn senselessly rushed a goal kick and freshman Madison Lambert (Bellevue, Neb.) came away with possession just outside the 18-yard box. Despite her efforts, the Statesmen defense was able to steer her out of bounds and avoid danger.
Perhaps the play of the match occurred in the 37th minute after William Penn was gifted a penalty kick following a BU foul in the box. Alyce Correia stepped up to the spot to take it and delivered a hard shot which seemed destined for the back of the net but freshman Bailey Petzoldt (Hastings, Neb.), at full extension, turned it away with her reach to keep the Bruins 1-0 advantage intact.
Darkoah nearly added a tally in the 39th minute but she was ruled offside after two quick touches by Bellevue players to spring her open down the middle of the field.
The second half possession was once again dominated by Bellevue as Darkoah, the talented central midfielder, more or less had her way with the midfielders from William Penn, slicing her way through with ease. She would get on the scoresheet with an assist in the 60th minute. After coming down the seam, untouched, she laid off a pass to Fischenich coming down the right side. Fischenich took one touch and made keeper Kelly Button go back across her body to no avail, beating her to far side four her fourth goal of the season.
Bellevue held a 11-3 advantage in shots and the Bruins finished with four corner kicks compared to eight for William Penn. Petzoldt only needed to make one save in goal for the Bruins to improve her record to 3-0-0 on the season and register her second complete match shutout.
Bellevue returns to action on Tuesday, Sept. 16 when they are scheduled to host MidAmerica Nazarene University at 7:00 p.m. at Tranquility Park in Omaha.
