Third-straight shutout keeps Bruins unbeaten

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Behind another suffocating defensive performance and three high-quality goals the #15 Bellevue University men's soccer team defeated the University of Jamestown 3-0 on Saturday afternoon at Bellevue Soccer Club to remain unbeaten on the season.

Records:

#15 Bellevue: 8-0-2
Jamestown: 1-3-1

Recap:

Renato Silva, Toby Millward, and Finlay Bloodworth all scored second half goals to lead BU to their second-consecutive 3-0 win.

Things were slow to develop in the first half with just a combined five shots (BU 4, UJ 1) but Jamestown slowly racked up some chances with a total of four corners in the period but were unable to capitalize.

The second half saw the match get much more physical with 15 fouls whistled and four yellow cards issued.

Bellevue was the first to strike when Silva found the back of the net in the 49^th minute. Finlay Bloodworth played a ball in from the wing that Aboubakar Tchalombo won at the edge of the box and flicked on to Silva who beat the keeper low for a 1-0 Bruin lead.

The scored remained there until the 69^th minute. Travis Hurd played a pass to Millward at the edge of the defense and Millward dribbled in on goal and beat the keeper to the far side.

BU added an insurance goal in the 78^th minute off a corner kick. Millward sent the corner in and Bloodworth corralled it, finding himself with space and time, and blasted a shot into the back of the net to seal the victory.

AJ Jarvis went unchallenged in goal to earn the shutout win and Jake Askew saved four shots for Jamestown.

Bellevue out-shot the Jimmies 12-5 (7-0 on target) in the game and Jamestown held a narrow 4-3 edge in corner kicks.

With Jamestown attempting just five shots (none on goal), BU opponents have put just nine shots on goal in their last three matches.

Up Next:

Bellevue is again home on Wednesday, Sept. 19 to host Morningside College at 4 p.m. at Bellevue Soccer Club.

Man of the Match:

Toby Millward – Scored in the 69^th minute and assisted on Finlay Bloodworth's 78^th minute goal. Created numerous dangerous chances with well-taken set pieces and played terrific on both ends of the field.

Coach Mark Heath-Preston:

"Three superb second half goals were the difference. We felt we controlled the game well and created enough good chances. Travis Hurd's pass to Toby Millward was the highlight of the game for me. We have to stay healthy and keep doing the right things as we move into these next three home games."

Notes:

• Bellevue has not allowed a goal in the last 297:16 minutes of game time. It's their longest stretch without allowing a goal since going 436:23 minutes (Oct. 3-Nov. 10) without conceding last season.
• The six clean sheets through 10 games already match last season's total.
• Bellevue improves to 4-0-0 at home this season and is now 22-4-2 (13-3-0 under Mark Heath-Preston) in the last five seasons at home.