Bruin women edged by Hastings on Senior Night

PAPILLION, Neb. -- The Bellevue University women's soccer team score on an own goal but a pair of long-range strikes from Hastings College lifted the Broncos to a 2-1 win over BU on Saturday evening.

Bellevue seemed to have the upper hand in the first half, out-shooting Hastings by a 6-3 margin, but the Bruins and Broncos entered halftime goalless.

Jacqueline Gilbert put the Broncos on the board in the 60^th minute scoring on a free kick from just outside the penalty area as she sent the ball to the far post and tucked it just beneath the cross bar for a 1-0 lead.

Following their longest run of sustained attack, Bellevue pulled level in the 69^th minute scoring off a corner. Bruna Cola Bielski sent a cross to the near post that a Hastings defender headed into their own net for a 1-1 score.

Bellevue nearly took the lead in the 71^st minute as Britney Nolte settled the ball in the box and unleashed a missile that sailed just inches over the crossbar.

The Bruins continued to press forward before Hastings' Dekota Schubert found the ball at her feet 25 yards from goal and unleashed a long-range strike that found itself well out of reach of the Bruin keeper who had come off her line.

Just four minutes later it appeared that Bellevue had tied the game for a moment but Marilia Lages' would-be goal was ruled offside by the linesman.

In a final bid to score, BU's Bielski had a shot from just outside the 18 the rattled the crossbar with under four minutes remaining as Hastings escaped with a win.

Bellevue out-shot the Broncos 16-8 on the night. Sarah Carpenter totaled five saves for the Broncos while Sabrina Staufenbiel made one save for BU.

Prior to the match, Bellevue senior Chloe Madigan was honored for her contributions to the BU program as part of the annual Senior Day ceremonies.

Man of the Match:

Morgan McIlnay

Coach Tom White:

"That's football sometimes. We created enough, hitting the bar twice and had a good shout for a pen. I'll hold my hand up as I got it wrong tonight but felt we were the better team – the ladies showed their adaptability this week. It was great to see Chloe get in the mix as she has shown unbelievable character throughout her journey with us. Now we prepare for conference."

Up Next:

Bellevue returns to the pitch on Friday, Apr. 9 in the semifinal round of the A.I.I. Tournament, hosted by Georgia Gwinnett College, in Lawrenceville, Ga. Match-ups and kick-off times are expected to be announced within the next few days.