Bruins open conference slate with 2-1 victory

LA CROSSE, Wis. -- After falling behind 1-0 both Finlay Bloodworth and Travis Hurd scored goals for the Bellevue University men's soccer team to secure a 2-1 come-from-behind victory for the Bruins on Saturday afternoon in the North Star Athletic Association opener for both sides.

The win, Bellevue's third-straight, sees BU improve to 6-6-2 overall and get off to a 1-0-0 start in league play. Viterbo falls to 1-8-0 (0-1-0 NSAA) with their fourth-straight defeat.

It is the 14^th year in a row that Bellevue has opened their conference schedule with a victory.

The V-Hawks opened the scoring in the 15^th minute with a goal off a corner kick. Riley Olsen sent in the corner and Jake Adams beat Bellevue keeper Ben Martin high for the 1-0 advantage.

Headed to halftime, it looked as though the scoreline would remain 1-0 but Bloodworth put the Bruins on the board in the 42^nd minute. Scott Robson took a shot on a free kick that rang off the crossbar but Bloodworth was there to head in the rebound for his third goal of the season to tie the game headed into half.

BU didn't wait long to grab the lead following the intermission. Hurd drilled a shot from 24 yards out that beat Ben Kellner diving to his right for a 2-1 Bruin lead. The goal was the second of the season for Hurd who has seen both of his scores account for the game-winner.

Martin made a pair of saves for the Bruins, who held the V-Hawks to 11 shots and just three on goal, to earn the victory. Kellner stopped four of six BU shots on goal but it wasn't enough for Viterbo as the hosts were out-shot 16-11 on the day. Bellevue gained eight corners to Viterbo's six while fouls were almost even with BU whistled for 15 and Viterbo 16.

Bellevue returns to the pitch with a 2:30 p.m. conference fixture against University of Jamestown on Saturday, Oct. 15.