CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Goals by Britney Nolte and Kaycee Driever propelled the Bellevue University women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Iowa Wesleyan University in the first game of the inaugural CAC Classic.
Records:
(RV) Bellevue: 9-2-1 (2-0-0 CAC)
Iowa Wesleyan: 7-6-0 (1-1-0 CAC)
BU 2, IWU 0
The game's early minutes were back and forth with each side getting off a pair of shots in the first 10 minutes. The tide swayed toward the Bruins after the 20-minute mark as BU brought on a pair of subs, Laura Cardenas and Britney Nolte, which provided a spark.
Nolte broke through with the game's first goal in the 31st minute. Cardenas turned in some terrific play along the sideline before finding Ximena Jauregui who connected with Nolte for Nolte's third goal of the year.
Starting goalkeeper Kylie Mulhern-Guillier received a straight red card in the 34th minute that tilted play even more decisively to the Bruins.
By halftime, Bellevue out-shot IWU 11-4 but had still just a 1-0 lead to show for their efforts.
Despite playing a man up, it took the Bruins until the 70th minute to add onto their lead. Morgan McIlnay played a long ball forward that Kaycee Driever headed over backup keeper Cheleena Squibb to double the Bruin lead.
Bellevue saw the game out the rest of the way, finishing with a 27-6 advantage in shots and 17-2 edge in shots on goal while winning six corner kicks to Iowa Wesleyan's one.
Squibb (11) and Mulhern-Guillier (4) combined for 15 saves for Iowa Wesleyan.
Jenn Amaro made a pair of first half saves to register her sixth shutout of the season.
Player of the Match:
Coach Tom White:
"I felt we didn't play to our performance level today and Iowa Wesleyan took advantage of it, making it awkward for us. When they went down to 10 we were in complete control but IW kept fighting to fair play to them."
Up Next:
Bellevue closes up play at the CAC Classic on Sunday, Oct. 16 against Georgia Gwinnett College (3-4-6 / 0-0-1 CAC) in a game which could have major postseason seeding implications.
