Bruins wrap up unbeaten road trip with draw at Judson

ELGIN, Ill. -- Finlay Bloodworth's 88^th minute equalizer saw the Bellevue University men's soccer team wrap up an impressive road trip with a 2-2 draw against Judson University on Monday afternoon at Dawson Field.

The three-game road swing saw BU go 2-0-1 as they toppled #7 Columbia by a 3-2 score, edged Trinity International 1-0, and secured a 2-2 draw late in regulation with the Eagles (0-1-1).

Inaki Aldao put Bellevue on the board in the 16^th minute with his team-leading fourth goal of the season.

The score remained 1-0 in favor of the visiting Bruins into halftime. Shots were even at eight apiece in the first half with Judson putting two on goal to BU's one.

Bellevue was whistled for 13 fouls to the Eagles' two and won a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks in the period.

Judson leveled shortly after the break when Eduard Ruiz-Liebers found the back of the net off a pass from Rafael Rocha in the 49^th minute.

The game opened up when each team had players sent off with a red but it was the Eagles that went ahead in the 84^th minute on a goal from Diego Silva with the assist going to Nikola Mihalopoulos.

In the 88^th minute BU took a throw-in along the near sideline and Inaki Aldao sent a cross in to Finlay Bloodworth in the box who headed it past the keeper for the equalizer. The goal was Bloodworth's first of the season.

The Bruins nearly won the game a minute later. Aldao's initial shot was saved and Travis Hurd had a good look in front of goal but his attempt went wide.

Bellevue out-shot Judson 10-6 in the second half with each team sending four shots on goal.

For the match, shots finished even at 20-20 with Judson holding a 9-7 advantage in attempts on target. Bellevue won 5-4 advantage in corners and were whistled for 21 fouls to Judson's eight.

AJ Jarvis made a career-high seven saves in goal for the Bruins.

Ricardo Porcayo stopped five shots in net for Judson.

Man of the Match:

Finlay Bloodworth – scored the game-tying goal in the 88^th minute to help Bellevue stay unbeaten.

Head Coach Mark Heath-Preston:

"We created good chances – more than enough to win the game – in the first half. Inaki Aldao was excellent with a good and an assist; and Marvin Ramirez, again, had an impact off the bench."

Up Next:

Bellevue (3-0-1) returns home on Wednesday evening to host Benedictine College (1-0-0) at Bellevue West High School. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

Notes:

• The 3-0-1 start is the longest unbeaten run to open a season since 2010 (5-0-0).
• Bellevue is now 1-1-5 in games that require extra time under Head Coach Mark Heath-Preston.