OMAHA, Neb. - Junior Tobias Maertzke (Reinbek, Germany) scored the game's lone goal as the Bellevue University men's soccer team defeated Graceland University by a final count of 1-0 in the Bruins' 2014 home-opener on Tuesday night at Tranquility Park.
BU, following their third consecutive win, now stands at 3-1-0 on the season while Graceland is now 1-1-0 with the loss.
The Bruins opened the scoring in the 20th minute to take the early 1-0 lead. Sophomore Lee Woolmore (Norfolk, England) played a beautiful long ball from the back ahead to Maertzke who touched the ball ahead to himself and headed it over the top of the defenseless keeper for his fourth goal of the season.
Much of the first half was played between the midfielders with few legitimate scoring chances created by either side. Graceland's best opportunity came when a crossed ball caromed off the far side post after it snuck through a thick tangle of defenders but bounced harmlessly into the arms of senior goalkeeper Scott Robertson.
Graceland had the first chance of the second half when Cody Bletlinger found himself alone near the penalty spot and fired a shot into the welcoming arms of Robertson. The Yellow Jackets had another chance in the 55th minute after winning a free kick from about 25 yards out but Lamin Cessay's shot was easily corralled by Robertson.
Senior Kristopher McFadyen (Glasgow, Scotland) narrowly missed doubling the Bruin advantage in the 60th minute but his bouncing shot from about 12 yards clanged off the post and out of harm's way.
Graceland held a 15-10 advantage in shots while Bellevue claimed five corner kicks against just one for the Yellow Jackets.
BU will play next on Friday, Sept. 5 when they travel to Atchison, Kan. to take on Benedictine University at 7:30 pm.
