Bruins draw Tigers in season-opener

CRETE, Neb. -- After a quick start the No. 17 Bellevue University men's soccer team need a late equalizer to earn a 2-2 draw at Doane University on Friday evening at Al Papik Field in the season-opener for both schools.

Bellevue wasted no time getting on the board first as Edgar Guzman struck just 70 seconds into the match. After the Bruins won a free kick, Scott Robson delivered a ball to the back post that Guzman went up and met with his head to sneak a goal off the underside of the crossbar.

Following a giveaway in their own defensive end Bellevue allowed the Tigers to tie the game. Mark Wallace took the ball and fed Maganda on the far seam who one-timed the ball past Bruin keeper Ben Martin.

The game remained scoreless into half despite Bellevue leading in many statistics. The Bruins out-shot Doane 6-3 (each had three shots on goal), the Bruins out-gained Doane on corners 6-2, and BU was whistled for six fouls against four for the Tigers.

Doane took the lead in the 72^nd minute when Kolby Whisler beat a charging Martin over the top for a 2-1 Tiger advantage.

The Tigers held that lead until Bellevue equalized in the 87^th minute. Rob Smith played a soft through ball to Daniel Coupland who shot from the edge of the box low and to the far post to beat the keeper.

Martin made a pair of saves in goal for the Bruins who draw their opener for the second year in a row.

Bellevue (0-0-1) has the weekend off before they host Northwestern College at 5 p.m. on Monday at Bellevue Soccer Club.