DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Toby Millward's 45th minute goal was all the offense either side could muster as the Bellevue University men's soccer team defeated Trinity International University by a 1-0 scoreline on Saturday afternoon at Schartner Field.
The first 45 minutes saw a lot of back and forth play with neither team threatening too many chances. Just when it appeared the game would advance to halftime scoreless Bellevue rescued a goal in the waning seconds of the half.
Bellevue pushed ahead with a late charge started on a pass from keeper AJ Jarvis in the 45th minute. Yago Ramos took the pass around midfield and dribbled forward where he played a long cross into Marvin Ramirez in the box who laid off a pass to Toby Millward. Millward then one-timed a chip over keeper to put BU up 1-0 with 10 seconds to go in the half.
The second half saw both sides push forward at the available opportunities but neither team was able to change the scoreline.
Trinity International held a sizable amount of possession in the offensive half over the final 10 minutes but strong defensive efforts from Bruin defenders and midfielders alike prevented the Trojans from offering too much on goal.
AJ Jarvis performed well in goal for Bellevue to earn his third win in as many starts. He made three saves and distributed the ball well out of the back to set up several Bruin counter-attacks.
Bellevue out-shot Trinity International 16-7 for the match and held an 8-3 advantage in shots on goal. Bellevue won six corners to TIU's three while the Trojans committed 11 fouls against BU's six.
Eddie Windsor made six saves for TIU in the loss.
Man of the Match:
Andy Wilkinson – anchored a back line which held Trinity International to just three shots on goal as Bellevue recorded their second clean sheet in three games.
Head Coach Mark Heath-Preston:
"Both teams worked hard. We had good chances in the first half and it wasn't until two great passes from AJ Jarvis and Yago Ramos helped Marvin Ramirez get his first assist for Toby Millward to finish in the first half."
Up Next:
Bellevue (3-0-0) wraps up their three-game road trip on Monday, Aug. 27 against Judson University (0-1-0). Kick-off is slated for 4 p.m. from Dawson Field in Elgin, Ill.
Notes:
- Bellevue has won their first three games of the season for the fifth time (1996, 2004, 2005, 2010, and 2018) in program history, and the first time since 2010.
- Trinity International was playing their season-opener after a 5-11-2 campaign in 2017.
- BU has now held their opposition scoreless in six of their last eight games dating back to Oct. 7 of last season.
