BU tops CUNE, 2-1; matches program's best start

SEWARD, Neb. -- Inaki Aldao and Toby Millward scored goals to rally the Bellevue University men's soccer team past Concordia University Nebraska 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at Bulldog Stadium.

Records:

Bellevue: 5-0-1
Concordia: 1-2-0

Recap:

Bellevue fell behind early in the second half but worked their way back with a pair of goals in a span of less than 90 seconds.

Despite 14 combined attempts – seven on goal – the game went into halftime scoreless. CUNE out-shot Bellevue 10-4 in the opening 45 minutes.

Concordia struck first in the 54^th minute when Carlos Ferrer scored unassisted to put the Bulldogs ahead.

Bellevue leveled in the 73^rd minute when Inaki Aldao scored his team-leading fifth goal of the season. Emil Gebelhoff scooped the ball over a pair of defenders to allow Aldao to come on and volley his attempt across the keeper for the strike.

Just 87 seconds later in the 75^th minute Aldao won a penalty which Toby Millward converted to put BU ahead by a 2-1 score. The goal was Millward's second of the season.

Concordia out-shot Bellevue 17-15 in the match but BU put 11 shots on frame to the Bulldogs' eight. The Bruins won 11 corners to four for CUNE.

AJ Jarvis made seven saves in goal to earn the win and Jack Bennett stopped nine Bruin shots in the loss.

Man of the Match:

Inaki Aldao – Tied the game with his strike in the 73^rd minute and won the penalty that Millward converted to win the match.

Coach Mark Heath-Preston:

"A great second half performance and a moment of unbelievable class from Emil Gebelhoff to assist Inaki Aldao. Toby Millward had a great game and was solid at the back."

Up Next:

Bellevue returns home on Tuesday, Sept. 4 to host Sterling College (0-1-1) at Bellevue Soccer Club. Kick-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Poll Vaulting:

Bellevue was unranked in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll but will likely be featured among the Top 25 when the new poll is announced on Tuesday evening. BU has already defeated a pair of nationally recognized programs in #7 Columbia (3-2 on Aug. 22) and (RV) Benedictine (1-0 on Aug. 29).

The Bruins are likely to be first or second – along with Georgia Gwinnett College (1-1-1) who plays later today against Johnson & Wales – among A.I.I. programs in the poll.

Notes:

• The Bruins' unbeaten start through six matches is the best in program history, matching the 2001 squad.
• Through six games Bellevue has trailed for a total of 23 minutes and 42 seconds (4:16 vs. Judson, 19:26 vs. Concordia).
• Concordia's goal was the first time this season that BU did not score the opener in a game.