LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Kyi Nicholson scored two goals and added an assist to lead the No. 7-ranked and top-seeded Bellevue University men's soccer team defeated No. 4-seed Talladega College 4-0 in the Continental Athletic Conference semifinals on Monday afternoon.
With the victory the Bruins improve to 14-2-2 while the Tornadoes end their season with an overall record of 4-6-4.
Bellevue wasted no time opening the scoring with Kyi Nicholson sending a cross into the box that missed its mark and floated into the back of the goal for the ninth minute opener. The goal was his third of the season.
Nicholson doubled the Bruin lead in the 25th minute. Ivroy Smith turned away Giovani Lima Soares' initial shot from 20 yards before Nicholson pounced on the carom and volleyed home the rebound for his second goal of the day and fourth of the year.
The Bruins entered halftime with that 2-0 advantage in a dominating performance over the opening 45 minutes as BU maintained virtually all of the attacking possession. Bellevue out-shot Talladega 7-1 and 6-0 on goal in the first half while winning all five corners in the period.
Edwin Cisneros added an insurance strike just ahead of the hour-mark, with his sixth goal of the season. Nicholson carried the ball deep into the box and slotted a cross to the back post where Cisneros blasted a one-time effort for a 3-0 lead in the 59th minute.
Kevin Becerril capped the scoring with an 81st minute strike. He took a cross from Kenshin Akimoto, settled it about eight yards from goal and calmly slotted home his second goal of the year.
Bellevue finished with a 19-5 edge in shots, including a 15-1 advantage in shots on goal, as well as a 10-0 margin in corner kicks.
Taariq Ganga stopped the lone shot on goal he faced, off the foot of Christopher Syms in the 75th minute.
Smith totaled 11 saves in the loss for Talladega.
With the victory, Bellevue advances to their seventh-straight CAC Championship Match on Wednesday, Nov. 13. Kick-off is set for 3 p.m. against the winner of No. 2-seed Georgia Gwinnett College and No. 6-seed Florida National College.
