Bruins frustrated by Trojans in road loss

HANNIBAL, Mo. -- Iker Roncal totaled eight saves for host Hannibal-LaGrange University as the Trojans delivered the Bellevue University men's soccer team a 2-1 defeat on Saturday afternoon at Blackwell Field.

Records:

Bellevue: 4-2-0
Hannibal-LaGrange: 3-0-0

Recap: HLGU 2, BU 1

Hannibal-LaGrange worked their way onto the scoreboard in the 35^th minute off the counter-attack. After HLGU intercepted a Bellevue pass, the Trojans played a ball to the flag on the far side and sent a cross into the box that Bruin keeper Harry Wray was unable to pull down. The loose ball wound up at the feet of Gilberto Perez who sent a one-timer back across the goal mouth for a 1-0 lead.

The Trojans nearly doubled their advantage four minutes later but Wray made a diving save on Simon Conrad to keep it a one-goal game.

Things remained 1-0 into the break with both teams totaling five shots and putting two apiece on goal. Corner kicks were 4-2 in favor of HLGU in the period.

Bellevue equalized off a set piece in the 59^th minute. Toby Millward delivered a well-placed ball into the box from the near sideline that Oumar Sissoko came down with before passing to Inaki Aldao who beat keeper Iker Roncal to level things at 1-1.

The score did not remain tied long as the Trojans popped back in front courtesy of a free kick. Scott Sampson played a ball in that saw some miscommunication between a BU defender and the keeper resulting in Jaume Garcia getting a clean look at a vacant net for a 2-1 lead for the host side in the 67^th minute.

Bellevue turned to a more aggressive, attacking style over the final 10 minutes which provided a lot of dangerous possession but failed to yield any clear cut scoring chances for the Bruins who managed just one shot on frame in the final 16 minutes.

Roncal totaled eight saves in goal for the Trojans while Wray finished with a pair of saves for BU in the loss.

Coach Mark Heath-Preston:

"We didn't play our best as a collective today in the first half and found it hard to get moving again. We had a reaction in the second half but always felt a step behind. We must have a good week and prepare for the next game."

Up Next:

Bellevue visits Mid-America Christian University on Saturday, Oct. 3 for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff from Evangel Field in Oklahoma City, Okla.