SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- Toby Millward scored twice inside the final eight minutes but the Bellevue University men's soccer team saw their comeback bid end short, falling 3-2 to Briar Cliff on Friday afternoon at Faber Field.
Records:
Bellevue: 4-4-0
Briar Cliff: 6-0-0
Recap: BCU 3, BU 2
Briar Cliff found the first goal of the game in the fifth minute when Marcus Horwood took a pass from Michael Virgen and chipped the Bruin keeper for an early 1-0 advantage.
Outside of the early goal, much of the first half was played outside of each team's final third with a combination of midfield play and clearances representing much of the action.
Bellevue saw their best chance come in the 32nd minute when they won a free kick in a dangerous area. From just outside the 18, by the Briar Cliff bench, Toby Millward sent in a cross but BU was unable to convert it into a scoring chance.
The Chargers took that 1-0 lead into halftime. Shots were even at the break with each team totaling three and putting two on frame.
BCU doubled their lead in the 59th minute when Virgen lured Harry Wray away from the goal mouth and hit teammate Iwan McNab in stride for a one-time finish from inside the six-yard box.
Briar Cliff seemingly put the game away with a 68th minute insurance strike on the counter. McNab was again the recipient of a ground level cross, redirecting Ben Jefferies' pass inside the far post for a 3-0 lead.
Bellevue avoided the shutout when Millward converted a PK in the 83rd minute for his fifth goal of the year.
Millward struck again in the 87th minute with a shot from distance that beat the diving keeper to pull the Bruins to within a goal, 3-2, with 3:18 remaining.
Briar Cliff finished with a 10-8 advantage in shots, including a 6-5 edge in shots on goal. Wray finished with three saves in net for the Bruins while Leandro Faria (2) and Coy Leytham (1) combined for three for the Chargers.
Up Next:
Bellevue continues their nine-game road slog on Wednesday, Oct. 14 when they face the University of Jamestown at 7 p.m. from the Jimmie Turf Field in Jamestown, N.D.
