PAPILLION, Neb. -- A disallowed goal and a saved penalty saw the No. 11 Bellevue University men's soccer team pick up a 0-0 draw with No. 5-ranked Columbia College on Tuesday evening at Papillion Landing.
Records:
#11 Bellevue: 8-2-2
#5 Columbia: 7-1-1
Bruins 0, Columbia 0 (2OT)
Bellevue came out on the front foot in the early going, getting forward seemingly at-will but to no avail.
It appeared a breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when BU won a free kick, roughly 35 yards from goal. Anthony Cox played a ball into the box that Alex Cuenca ran over and let bounce towards Oumar Sissoko. Sissoko waited and timed the bounce before hitting a world class bicycle kick into the back of the net, however, the goal was disallowed when the referee deemed Sissoko to have used a high foot.
The game remained deadlocked into the break with each side accounting for six shots.
Columbia looked to be the aggressor throughout much of the second half but had just three shots to show for their efforts. Bellevue patiently sat back and took everything the Cougars threw at them, content to try to make some headway on the counter.
Late in the second overtime Gabby Gaiotto played Sissoko into the box where Sissoko was fouled as he attempted the game-winning header and the Bruins won a penalty kick with 1:08 to play.
Toby Millward stepped to the spot but Liam Gibbs came up with a save to keep the game scoreless and ensure a draw.
Columbia finished with advantages of 13-8 in shots, 5-4 in corners, and 4-3 in shots on goal while each team was cited for 18 fouls.
Coach Mark Heath-Preston:
"We went toe to toe with another top team. We had the best chances as well as a goal disallowed when, looking back, maybe it should have been given. It is nice to go three games without giving up a goal and that is something we need to build on. Andy Wilkinson, Sebastian Zapata, and Tibor Stankovic were fantastic against a very direct team."
Up Next:
Bellevue hosts Hannibal-La Grange University (4-3-1) for a 7 p.m. kick-off on Saturday, Oct. 9 at Papillion Landing.
