ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- Receiving votes for the first time in four seasons, the Bellevue University women's soccer team continued their strong start to the season with a suffocating 3-1 over Northwestern College on Wednesday evening at Korver Field.
Records:
(RV) Bellevue: 4-1-0
Northwestern: 3-2-0
BU 3, NWC 1
Bellevue had all the scoring chances in the first half with the first quality look coming early. Claudia Gallegos gained inside position on a Ximena Jauregui free kick in the seventh minute for a header but her attempt went wide of goal.
By the 20th minute, the Bruins found their way onto the scoreboard off a corner kick from Jauregui. Ketlyn Rota's initial shot rattled off the crossbar but bounced to Emma Stock who hit a half-volley over helpless Red Raider keeper Kaelin Alons.
With the first half winding down, Bellevue used some quality build-up play out of the back to double their lead. After a string of passes left Rota the ball going forward she passed to Angela Miranda at the top of the area and Miranda delivered a quick touch pass to Kaycee Driever for the shot and Driever beat the keeper to the short side of the net.
Bellevue controlled possession throughout the first half and spent the majority of the opening 45 minutes on the Northwestern side of the field. After racking up a 12-1 advantage in shots, the Bruins took a 2-0 lead in halftime.
In the early moments of the second half, Bellevue had a pair of quality scoring chances but a wayward header by Sinai Bernal in the 46th minute and a howler from Sami Reding that sailed high kept the score 2-0.
Northwestern got on the scoreboard in the 74th minute. After a Bruin foul atop the penalty box, Julie Dunlap clanged a PK off the crossbar and just over the goal line for NWC's lone shot on goal of the game.
Bellevue responded in the 84th minute as Millie Hopkisson slipped a pass in behind the defense to Bernal who raced toward goal and drove home the dagger to secure the win.
By the full time whistle, BU accumulated a 19-3 advantage in shots including a 10-3 edge in shots on goal.
Alons finished with six saves for the Red Raiders while Jenn Amaro got the win in goal for the Bruins despite not having a save.
Player of the Game:
Coach Tom White:
"We were happy with how we controlled the game today. First half we were relentless and should of finished it off but made hard work of it in the second half."
Up Next:
Bellevue travels to Hillsboro, Kan. on Saturday, Sept. 10 for a 3 p.m. kick-off at Joel H. Wiens Stadium against Tabor College.
