Bellevue returns to CAC Championship with 1-0 win over Jamestown

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Emma Madej's first goal of the season was the difference as the second-seeded Bellevue University women's soccer team defeated No. 3-seed University of Jamestown 1-0 on Monday evening in the semifinal round of the Continental Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Championship.

With the victory, Bellevue improves to 9-5-2 on the year while the Jimmies conclude their 2024 campaign at 10-8-0, the loss snapping a five-game win streak.

The Bruins dominated in every facet of the game, taking the rubber match between the two sides who had split their regular season meetings, with each winning on the other's home field.

Bellevue registered the first six shots of the match, including peppering three on goal but it was the Jimmies that had the first great scoring chance. A Jamestown attacker played a ball to Vega Canada on the back post but her sliding shot missed wide right and the game remained scoreless at the midway mark of the first half.

Ketlyn Rota missed the opening goal by mere millimeters, rifling in a shot from distance in the 26^th minute the hit off the underside of the crossbar but was ruled to have landed on the goal line without crossing over

Moments later, Emma put the Bruins in front from a very similar spot, curling a shot inside the back post from the corner of the 18-yard box in the 28^th minute as Bellevue took a 1-0 lead.

A flurry of activity in front of the Jimmie goal in the final moments of the half yielded no additional scoring as the Bruins took their 1-0 lead into halftime. Bellevue out-shot Jamestown 10-1 in the period, including 5-0 on goal and racked up a 3-1 edge in corners.

Mia Hurt took a pass from Baylee Tex in the 52^nd minute, looking to double the BU advantage but her effort from 25 yards rang off the crossbar as Jamestown avoided falling further behind by inches yet again.

Bellevue had a chance to put the game away in the 84^th minute on a cross from Madej to Tex at the edge of the six but her volley way denied by keeper Allyson Johnson to keep it a one-goal game.

The Jimmies had a late chance at the other end in the 86^th minute following a foul but Canada's free kick effort sailed wide of goal.

Bellevue finished the game with an advantage of 20-7 in shots, including an 11-3 edge in shots on goal, and narrowly out-gaining Jamestown on corners 5-4.

Alessia Ricciardi stopped all three shots on goal she faced in recording her sixth shutout of the season.

Johnson kept UJ close throughout, totaling 10 saves in the loss.

The Bruins advance to Wednesday's CAC Championship match where they'll meet Georgia Gwinnett College at 6 p.m. with a bid to the NAIA National Tournament on the line. It will be BU's fourth-straight appearance in the CAC Championship match.