CLINTON, Iowa -- Paced by Javier Ramirez's hat trick, fifth-ranked Ashford University posted a 5-1 win against the Bellevue University men's soccer team Saturday afternoon in nonconference action at the AU Soccer Field.
Ashford improved to 7-2-1 while Bellevue dropped to 3-6-0 overall.
AU found the back of the net just 1:10 into the contest on Ramirez's first goal of the match to give the Saints an early 1-0 edge.
The Saints added to their lead on a penalty kick by Lucas Almeida in the 15th minute to give AU a 2-0 advantage. AU has converted all eight of its penalty kicks this season.
BU cut its deficit in half on Jamie Henderson's goal off a corner kick by Tobias Maertzk at 28:26 in the first half.
The Saints took a 3-1 lead on Mark Hiller's header that beat BU goalkeeper Scott Robertson 4:07 into the second half off Luiz Mota's corner kick.
Ramirez scored twice in a span of 32 seconds to propel the Saints to the 5-1 win.
Patrick Kinsella notched seven saves in the win for AU while Robertson (2-2-0) took the loss for the Bruins.
Rob Jackson recorded three shots for BU while Ramirez tallied a match-high seven for the Saints.
The BU men's soccer team will open conference play on Saturday, Oct. 5 with a 3:30 p.m. match against Central Baptist College at Tranquility Park.
Game Scoring
Bellevue...1-0--1
Ashford.....2-3--5
AU, J. Ramirez (D. Dreier), 1:10
AU, L. Almeida (penalty kick), 14:54
BU, J. Henderson (T. Maertzk), 28:26
AU, M. Hiller (L. Mota), 49:07
AU, J. Ramirez (unassisted), 62:23
AU, J. Ramirez (L. Mota), 62:55
