INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Bellevue University women's soccer team may have gotten a tough break when they drew the No. 2 team in the NAIA to open the National Tournament, but the Bruins showed they were up to the task going toe-to-toe with Marian University for 90 minutes before running out of time in a 1-0 defeat on Thursday evening.
Questions were asked of the Bruins entering the tournament as they had yet to match up against a Top 25 side, let along against one of the NAIA's elite - Marian has reached at least the NAIA Quarterfinals in each of the past three seasons. Bellevue responded with a spirited performance in which they showcased considerable improvement from just a season ago.
BU wraps up their impressive 2022 season with a 13-4-2 overall record while Marian remains unbeaten, improving to 18-0-2 with their 10th shutout of the year.
With the victory, Marian advances to Saturday's second round match to face Campbellsville, who downed MidAmerica Nazarene in earlier action, at 6 p.m. with the winner advancing to the Final Site.
Marian controlled the attack from the opening kick, peppering four shots in the direction of the goal and racking up a pair of corner kicks in the opening 12 minutes of the match.
The Bruins settled in a bit after that opening barrage, not allowing another shot attempt until the 21st minute. Marian nearly found the opener from a 25th minute corner but Camryn Gietl's header caromed off the post.
Despite all the Marian advantages on the stat sheet, the game advanced to halftime still scoreless. The Knights outshot BU 7-0 in the half and put a pair of attempts on goal. The foul count at the break showed three apiece and Marian collected all seven corners in the half.
Bellevue recorded their first shot just 33 seconds into the second half with Sami Reding seeing her attempt saved by Marian's Noelle Rolfsen.
Erin Oleksak beat Jenn Amaro to put the Knights on the board in the 54th minute, scoring her 18th goal of the year, with an assist to Naomi Walters.
The Bruins looked to equalize in the 62nd minute with Millie Hopkisson challenging Rolfsen but the Marian keeper came up with a stop to keep the Knights in front.
Marian had a pair of chances in quick succession with Oleksak drawing iron with a shot off the post just seconds before Jacelyn Smith had her effort saved by Amaro in the 83rd minute.
Despite pressing forward Bellevue was unable to render any shots over the final 10 minutes of the match as Marian held on for the victory.
Rolfsen stopped both shots she faced for Marian as the Knights out-shot Bellevue 21-2 for the game but managed to put just six of those on goal where the 6-2 tally was much tighter.
Amaro finished with five saves for BU.
Players of the Match:
Coach Tom White:
"What an effort from the ladies! They gave everything and kept fighting until the end. We couldn't be more proud of them. The staff want to say a big 'thank you' to Millie Hopkisson who gave everything for her teammates and the program. I personally want to thank Emily Michaels who has been a big factor to our success the last three years; she is moving on and furthering her coaching career. It's been a pleasure."
