Tex's double lifts Bruins past Mount Marty

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Baylee Tex scored twice to lead the Bellevue University women's soccer team past Mount Marty University 4-2 on Saturday evening at the Renner Dennis Outdoor Athletic Complex.

The Bruins remain unbeaten, improving to 4-0-2 on the year. Mount Marty falls to 3-3-0 on the season.

Bellevue was out on the front foot early, generating four shots and a corner kick in the opening five minutes. Their strong start paid dividends when Aileen Perez won a PK in the fifth minute with a charging run into the box. Mia Hurt stepped to the spot and ripped home the opening goal.

That early lead lasted just 51 seconds as Alexia Valdez pulled Mount Marty level. Avery Kimball sprung in behind the BU defense and carried the ball to the endline where she crossed a pass to the middle of the box for Valdez who ran onto it and slammed home the equalizer from eight yards out.

Kari Pate had a chance to put the Lancers in front from point-blank range but her effort was cleared off the goal line by BU's Morgan Miller to keep the game tied.

Goal aside, BU continued their dominant run of play, peppering the Mount Marty goal relentlessly. Their efforts paid off in the 29^th minute. Mia Hurt took a pass at the top of the box and delivered a quick feed to Baylee Tex who took one touch and slipped home a shot inside the near post from 15 yards for her first goal of the season.

Bellevue carried a 2-1 lead into halftime on the strength of a 15-4 advantage in shots, 10-3 in shots on goal, and 2-1 in corner kicks.

In the early minutes of the second half, Bellevue had more chances, though the Lancers' were more dangerous. Pate again had a look at goal, unleashing a volley from inside the 18 in the 52^nd minute that Abril Cura made a diving stop, snatching the ball out of mid-air.

Valdez looked for a second goal in the 70^th minute, sending a curling shot at the far post but Cura punched it away to keep Bellevue in front.

The Bruins were rewarded for their relentless attack in the 72^nd minute. Pushing forward, Hurt found Perez on the wing where Perez carried the ball to the endline before sending a cross to the goal mouth. Tex found herself with space and, despite a slight mis-hit, redirected the ball inside the post for a 3-1 BU advantage.

Bellevue added an insurance strike in the 87^th minute. Sam Mausbach fed Maju Serrano about 28 yards from goal and Serrano uncorked a high shot to beat the keeper and dip in under the crossbar.

Kamil Bennet found a consolation goal off a 90^th minute corner for Mount Marty, delivering heel flick into the goal off a scramble in the box.

Cura finished with four saves in the win for Bellevue while Brooklyn McNac totaled 15 stops in net for Mount Marty.

Bellevue out-shot Mount Marty 30-8 on the evening and 19-7 goal while holding a narrow 4-3 edge in corners.

The Bruins return to the pitch on Wednesday, Sept. 17 for a 3 p.m. non-conference road tilt at Heritage Park against the College of Saint Mary.