Late strike lifts Bellevue over CSM

PAPILLION, Neb. -- Ketlyn Rota scored the go-ahead goal in the 82^nd minute to lift the Bellevue University women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over College of Saint Mary on Wednesday evening.

Bellevue improves to 3-0-0 on the year while the Flames remain winless, falling to 0-2-2.

The Bruins started on the front foot, briefly appearing to take a lead in the first 20 seconds before an offside flag was raised.

A 17^th minute corner for the Bruins resulted in Ketlyn Rota getting a head to the cross but a Flames defender cleared the ball off the line and her follow-up attempt was corralled by the keeper.

Adi Kasel put BU in front with her second goal of the season coming on a 27^th minute strike. Maju Serrano sent a cross to the far post where Kasel settled the ball and slid a low shot across the goal mouth into the back of the net.

Kasel nearly doubled the lead less than a minute later. After intercepting a pass in the CSM defensive end and a quick step-back move, she unleashed a shot to the near post that Alivia Schade turned away with a leaping effort.

Bellevue took their 1-0 lead into halftime.

The second half was more back-and-forth, as opposed to BU controlling the pace of play as they did for large swaths of the first half.

CSM equalized in the 72^nd minute. Abbie Anderson, dribbling in front of the BU bench sent a high cross to the back post that was just outside the reach of Alessia Ricciardi. The ball landed at the feet of Marissa Ring who one-timed a shot home to level the game at one apiece.

Bellevue countered roughly 10 minutes later with sustained pressure. A pair of corners and a failed clearance by the Flames saw Ashlynn Coreas secure possession 30 yards from goal. She sent a free ball into the box where Rota controlled, turned and fired a shot for her first goal of the year.

The defense held from there for BU, as the Bruins did not allow a shot the rest of the way.

Bellevue out-shot CSM 13-4 on the night, putting seven shots on goal to the Flames' two, and piled up a 6-1 advantage in corners. Schade finished with four saves in goal while Ricciardi finished with one.

The Bruins return home to Papillion Landing on Saturday evening for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against Tabor College.