PAPILLION, Neb. -- Lauren Chetty produced the only goal of the game late in the first half as the Bellevue University women's soccer team rebounded from their first loss of the season with a 1-0 win over Mid-America Christian University on Saturday afternoon at Papillion Landing.
With the victory, BU improves to 6-1-2 on the season. The Evangels fell to 5-1-2 after suffering their first loss of the season.
The Bruins appeared more attack-minded in the first half with constant applied pressure on the weary MACU defense. The Evangels were playing their third game in six days.
A Mid-America Christian foul gave Bellevue a free kick by the near-sideline in the 42nd minute. Mia Hurt stepped to the set piece and sent a high ball into the box. Sami Reding collected it among heavy traffic and played a pass back to Lauren Chetty who ripped a one-timer into the back of the net from 12 yards for a 1-0 BU lead.
Each team sent one more shot high before the end of the half and the Bruins took their 1-0 advantage into the break with Bellevue having outshot MACU 10-5, and 8-2 on goal, in the period.
Chances were minimal in the second half with the majority of the efforts handled without difficulty.
Hurt came the closest to finding a second goal with a long-range effort in the 71st minute, but her strike from 28 yards caromed off the right post for a goal kick.
Despite chasing a goal, MACU did not manage a shot over the game's final 34:07, however the Evangels did manage to pick up six fouls and four yellows during that span.
Bellevue dominated the attacking possession throughout large swaths of game time, racking up a 16-6 advantage in shots for their efforts. BU put 10 shots on goal while MACU managed to land just three on target. Bellevue held a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Alessia Ricciardi made three saves to record her fifth shutout of the season.
Rachel Torres stopped nine shots for the Evangels.
A physical affair, the game saw the teams combine for 29 fouls and nine yellow cards.
Bellevue travels to Atchison, Kan. on Wednesday, Sept. 25 for a 5 p.m. kick-off against (RV) Benedictine College (5-3-1).
