Scoring first not enough for BU in A.I.I. Championship Game
Two goals just over three minutes apart by Georgia Gwinnett gave the Grizzlies a 2-1 victory over Bellevue in the A.I.I. Championship Game on Saturday.
BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Two goals just 3:10 apart by Georgia Gwinnett College were the difference as the Grizzlies handed the #6 Bellevue University men's soccer team their first loss of the season on Saturday evening at the Grizzly Soccer Complex in the A.I.I. Championship Game.
Records:
#6 Bellevue: 17-1-2
(RV) Georgia Gwinnett: 11-5-1
Recap: (RV) Georgia Gwinnett 2, #6 Bellevue 1
Bellevue broke through in the 29th minute when Kortlan Franke played a ball from the midfield to Travis Hurd in behind the GGC defense. Hurd dribbled in and beat the keeper low for his ninth goal and a 1-0 BU advantage.
Bellevue nursed that lead into halftime but Georgia Gwinnett equalized early out of the break.
An own goal, following a scrum in front of the net, saw the Grizzlies tie the match at 1-1 in the 50th minute. Then, in the 53rd minute Myles Barber put GGC ahead. Following a carom which took the ball away from goal towards the edge of the 18 Barber sent a curling shot in over the defense that tucked inside the far post.
Bellevue won numerous free kicks going forward as the game proceeded but had very few clear cut scoring chances. Over the final 28 minutes Bellevue had just one shot that made its way on goal, a volley attempt by Inaki Aldao which was saved.
AJ Jarvis made three saves in goal for Bellevue and Matija Gligorovic stopped a pair of shots for the Grizzlies.
Up Next:
Bellevue will await word from the NAIA as to whether or not the Bruins will receive one of the four available at-large bids to the National Tournament Opening Round. The Bruins are the highest ranked team in the Coaches' Poll and second-highest rated in the MRPI among teams that have not earned an automatic bid to the National Tournament. The NAIA Tournament Selection show will be streamed via Facebook Live on Monday, Nov. 12 at noon.