Hastings wins shootout with Bruins

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Rob Smith became the first Bruins to score four goals since game-by-game stats are available but it wasn't enough as the Bellevue University men's soccer team fell, 6-4, to visiting Hastings College on Sunday afternoon at Bellevue Soccer Club.

No. 25 Hastings continues their strong start to the season, improving to 7-0-0 while BU falls to 3-5-2 against a schedule which has seen them take on five teams either ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Coaches' Poll.

The Bruins scored four goals which were more than Hastings had conceded all season, prior to today's match. Smith's first goal snapped a run of better the 400 minutes in which Hastings had held their opposition scoreless.

Hastings opened the scoring in the 27^th minute when Marc Tautz shot from 25 yards out hit the bottom of the crossbar. After a moment of deliberation by the officials, they allowed the goal to stand and the Broncos took a 1-0 lead.

Daniel Whitehall scored in the 39^th minute to double the Bronco advantage. After taking possession at midfield, Whitehall played a pass to Lucas Venegas who delivered the ball back to Whitehall just inside the box that hit shot past the keeper to the far side.

Smith got the Bruins on the board just ahead of the halftime whistle. Following a scramble in the box, the ball landed at Smith's feet and he sent a shot hard and high over keeper Joe White.

In a 40-second span, early in the second half, Daniel Whitehall scored a natural hat trick to send the Broncos to a 5-1 advantage. Whitehall added a goal in the first half for a total of four on the afternoon.

Bellevue tried to mount a comeback in the second half when Smith scored three of his career-high four goals.

Smith scored in the 52^nd, 74^th, and 84^th minutes. Daniel Coupland played a quick restart to Smith following a foul and Smith beat White near side to cut the lead to 5-2. Adam White added a 61^st minute strike to make it 6-2.

In the 74^th minute Smith volleyed a lob pass form Angel Jacinto into the net and scored unassisted in the 84^th off a turnover in the box that he blasted low and hard past the keeper.

Shots went 21-9 in favor of the visitors who also held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.

Bellevue returns to play on Wednesday afternoon with a 4 p.m. match against Morningside College at Bellevue Soccer Club.