Late goal lifts Evangels past BU in Top 10 tilt

WICHITA, Kan. -- Rodrigo Albuquerque scored twice, including the game-winner with under five minutes to play for the Evangels, as No. 6-ranked Mid-America Christian University edged the 10^th-ranked Bellevue University men's soccer team 2-1 in a high-profile affair on Saturday evening at the Stryker Sports Complex.

Records:

#10 Bellevue: 6-2-1
#6 MACU: 7-0-0

MACU 2, Bruins 1

Bellevue spent much of the first half on the front foot, earning a pair of cards on Evangel defenders with their attacking play.

Ricky Reyes nearly put the Bruins a goal ahead off a corner in the 15^th minute but his strike from near the penalty spot stayed high and did not trouble the keeper.

MACU opened the scoring in the 26^th minute following a Bellevue giveaway just outside the BU 18-yard box. Cesar Ramirez won a tackle and slipped a pass to the oncoming Rodrigo Albuquerque whose shot caromed off a Bruin defender and into the net.

Bellevue nearly pulled level in the 33^rd minute off a long throw-in but Alex Cuenca's header sailed just over the crossbar.

The physicality intensified as the half wore on, though the referee whistled for just 11 fouls combined in the opening 45 minutes (8 against MACU; 3 against BU) and the Evangels clung to their 1-0 lead, on the strength of a 9-7 edge in shots, at the break.

BU again came out aggressive at the start of the second half and were nearly rewarded just 2:07 in but Zach Robbins' curling shot from 25 yards struck the far post and bounced away.

Oumar Sissoko tied the game up in the 62^nd minute following some good counter-attacking play by the Bruins. Jaeger Erickson, who had just come one, took the ball up the far sideline before laying off a pass to Cuenca who found Robbins open in the middle of the field. Robbins slipped a pass to Sissoko at the top of the 18 and Sissoko took a touch before beating the goalkeeper by tuck a low shot just inside the post.

The Bruins had a chance to go a goal up in the 72^nd minute after Antonio Capra won a free kick in a dangerous area but Toby Millward's attempt from 25 yards out was saved without much trouble.

MACU broke the tie in the 86^th minute with their own counter-attacking goal when Albuquerque chipped BU keeper AJ Jarvis on his first touch off a pass from Luan Cesar.

BU had one last-gasp effort in the final minute, as they won a free kick in front of their own bench and sent everyone forward but the keeper but the Evangels dealt with cross and held on for the win.

Jarvis finished with four saves for the Bruins while Mid-America Christian's Jeremi Abonnel totaled three saves in the win. Bellevue out-shot MACU 15-14 but the Evangels held the advantage in shots on goal, 6-4.

Man of the Match:

Alex Cuenca

Coach Mark Heath-Preston:

"That was a fantastic game that could have gone either way."

Up Next:

Bellevue returns to play on Saturday, Sept. 25 when they travel to Salina, Kan. to take on Kansas Wesleyan University. Kick-off from the Graves Family Sports Complex is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Notes:

• Both teams reached the NAIA National Tournament Final Site (Last 10) during the 2020-21 season.
• Kick-off was delayed an hour as no officials were on site.