Aldao's brace sends Bruins to A.I.I. Championship

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Inaki Aldao scored twice to give the No. 15-ranked Bellevue University men's soccer team a 2-1 overtime victory over Viterbo University in the semifinal round of the Association of Independent Institutions' Tournament on Friday afternoon at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

Bellevue improves their overall record to 13-4-2 and secures their place in the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round with the victory.

Viterbo concludes their season at 10-2-0.

Recap:

Bellevue came out strong and attack-oriented in the first half with the halftime stat sheet highlighting their efforts. The Bruins out-shot Viterbo 6-1, all on goal, and held a 6-1 edge in corner kicks through 45 minutes while racking up numerous set pieces in dangerous areas.

Despite having the better of the possession, the Bruins were unable to capitalize and entered the break scoreless.

Bellevue wasted little time atoning in the second half as Inaki Aldao took a pass from Zach Robbins and slotted home his 21^st goal of the season in the 52^nd minute to give the Bruins the lead.

Aldao nearly had a second goal in the 66^th minute but, after making a move around a defender, his shot his the inside of the post and caromed out.

The Bruins stayed the aggressor but a counter-attack in the 76^th minute saw the V-Hawks equalize. Jacob Battista sent a cross into space that Flabio Olmos ran onto and slipped between BU keeper AJ Jarvis' legs to pull Viterbo level.

Viterbo nearly took the lead three minutes later when Battista ripped a shot on goal that Jarvis tipped over the crossbar to keep things level at a goal apiece.

BU's final chance of regulation came in the 86^th minute when the Bruins earned a free kick about 28 yards from goal but Toby Millward's attempt was saved by Ernesto Ascenzo, one of 12 saves for the freshman keeper.

Aldao found the back of the net just under three minutes into overtime for his second goal of the game to send Bellevue through to the finals. Robbins crossed the ball to the far post and Gabriel Gaiotto chipped a ball to the middle of the goalmouth where Aldao was waiting to head in the winner.

Bellevue out-shot Viterbo 20-4 and piled up an 11-3 advantage in corner kicks. Jarvis recorded three saves in the victory.

Man of the Match:

Inaki Aldao - scored the two goals with Zach Robbins a close second with two outstanding passes.

Coach Mark Heath-Preston:

"I have to give credit to Viterbo; they made it difficult for us at times but we had enough chances. Tomorrow's game is an exciting one with GGC for the third time in three years."

Up Next:

Bellevue takes on host, and No. 10-ranked, Georgia Gwinnett tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the A.I.I. Championship Game. The Grizzlies have beaten the Bruins in the "Battle of the Bears" in each of the past two A.I.I. finals by 2-1 margins. Bellevue has scored first in each game only to fall just short of winning the trophy.

Notes:

• Inaki Aldao surpassed Mark Heath-Preston on the BU all-time goal-scoring list with his 46^th and 47^th career goals in Friday's win.
• The National Tournament bid is the seventh in program history after having previously qualified in 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2018.
• The overtime victory was BU's first in a post-season game since defeating Providence (Mont.) 1-0 in the 2008 A.I.I. Tournament, span of seven games (0-4-3). The Bruins did defeat Oklahoma Wesleyan on penalties in 2014 but that was officially recorded as a tie per NAIA rules.