LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- The third-seeded Bellevue University men's soccer team received a goal from Andy Janssen and two from Toby Millward as the Bruins defeated second-seeded Waldorf University 3-0 in an A.I.I. Tournament Semifinal Match on Friday evening at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.
Records:
Bellevue: 8-9-2
Waldorf: 10-6-2
Recap:
Playing for the third time in 22 days, Bellevue and Waldorf engaged in an extended feeling out of each other during Friday's first half. With play isolated almost exclusively to the midfield, the Bruins and Warriors combined for just three first half shots.
The first shot of the game came in the 31st minute when Inaki Aldao saw his attempt blocked by the Waldorf defense.
Seven minutes later the Bruins put their first attempt on target when Toby Millward saw his free kick plucked out of the air by keeper Raul Guillamon-Bejar.
Igor Leonam finally got the Warriors in the shot column in the 42nd minute as he saw his attempt blocked away by a Bellevue defender.
Bellevue broke through in the 58th minute. Jaeger Erickson possessed the ball long enough to deliver a cross to the end line that Inaki Aldao headed back towards the center of the box. Andy Janssen ran onto Aldao's header and blasted his volley into the back of the net for a 1-0 BU lead.
Janssen had a chance to double the Bellevue lead in the 61st minute but his headed attempt at goal was dealt with by Guillamon-Bejar.
A short time later, Bellevue won a penalty when Alex Cuenca suffered a foul in the box. Toby Millward stepped to the spot and slotted home the crucial second goal in the 65th minute.
Millward put the game away 10 minutes later when he curled a driving shot around the wall and into the near side of the Warrior net for a decisive 3-0 advantage.
Bellevue out-shot Waldorf 10-4 (6-1 on goal) as Harry Wray stopped the only shot on target he faced to record the shutout.
Coach Mark Heath-Preston:
"Toby Millward delivered a Man of the Match performance with the two goals but it was a fantastic team performance. They had one shot from a free kick late in the second half. We controlled the game with and without the ball. I am really happy for the boys and excited for the challenge tomorrow against Georgia Gwinnett."
Man of the Match:
Toby Millward – Scored twice off set pieces to put the game to bed for the Bruins.
Up Next:
Bellevue faces top-seeded and No. 20-ranked Georgia Gwinnett tomorrow at 6 p.m. in the A.I.I. Championship Match. The winner earns the A.I.I.'s automatic qualifying bid to the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round.
