SEWARD, Neb. -- The Bellevue University men's soccer team came out with their foot on the gas and never let up in a clinic-worthy 3-1 victory over Concordia University at Bulldog Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Records:
Bellevue: 2-0-0
Concordia: 0-1-0
Recap: BU 3, CUNE 1
Inaki Aldao won a penalty in the 16th minute and Toby Millward converted the PK for a 1-0 Bruin advantage. The goal was the second of the season for Millward.
The Bruins continued to dominate the opening period, out-shooting the host side 7-4 and owning seemingly all of the attacking possession in the half but were unable to parlay those advantages into a second goal until the 45th minute.
Shortly before the half, Bellevue earned a second penalty when a Bruin attacker was again hauled down from behind in the box. With just five seconds before halftime, Millward drilled home his second goal of the match as BU took a 2-0 lead into halftime.
The Bulldogs pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute. After a failed tackle by Bellevue, Iker Casanova sent a cross into the box that David Moreno hit off the volley that Bruin keeper Harry Wray could only watch into the back of the net.
Bellevue restored their two-goal advantage in the 55th minute. After Aldao's initial shot was saved, Alex Cuenca followed up by burying the rebound for a 3-1 Bruin lead. The goal was the first for Cuenca on the year.
From there, Bellevue saw out the remainder of the game finishing with 14 shots to CUNE's eight.
Harry Wray recorded four saves for the Bruins while Callum Goldsmith turned away five BU attempts in the loss.
Coach Mark Heath-Preston:
"In the first half we played some scintillating football and created a number of chances. Gabby (Gabriel Gaiotto) and Johnny (John Cover) were both fantastic; Cover gets better every time he steps on the pitch. Toby Millward converted two penalties and Big Al (Alex Cuenca) had a great finish with his left to take the game back to a two goal lead, after they had nicked one, which was a fantastic response. It was a great performance considering we have a number of players still not available for selection."
Up Next:
Bellevue continues their three-game road swing on Saturday evening at 2019 NAIA National Semifinalist Columbia College. The game will kick-off from R. Marvin Owens Field in Columbia, Mo. at 8 p.m.
Notes:
- Bellevue has opened the season with consecutive wins for the second time in three seasons. They began the 2018 season with three-straight victories.
- The win sees the Bruins improve to 17-8-3 (7-4-2 away) against GPAC opposition under the direction of head coach Mark Heath-Preston.
