Bruins open 2017 with draw at William Penn
The Bruins and Statesmen battled to a thrilling 3-3 draw in the season-opener for both sides
OSKALOOSA, Iowa -- Jonas Starkus netted a brace and Edgar Guzman scored a goal and added an assist but Daniel Hernandez claimed the equalizer with just 12 seconds to play as the Bellevue University men's soccer team had to settle for a 3-3 draw against William Penn University in the season-opener for both teams at Drost Field on Saturday evening.
The result marks the third-straight year in which Bellevue opened the season with a draw but the Bruins remained winless in season-openers (0-4-3) dating back to their last win, a 1-0 triumph over MidAmerica Nazarene, to open the 2010 season.
Starkus opened the scoring in the 29th minute for a 1-0 Bellevue lead but the Statesmen responded in the 34th as Steve Lee pulled William Penn level.
Diego Navarro had a chance in the waning moments of the first half, juking a defender to get free in the box but his shot caromed off the post and the teams advance to halftime tied 1-1. Shots were even at six apiece but BU held a narrow 3-2 edge in attempts on goal at the intermission.
Much of the second period belonged to the Bruins as they dominated the chances right up until the final minutes.
In the 48th minute William Penn saw a goal disallowed following an offside decision from the linesman but would grab the lead just ahead of the hour mark courtesy of an own goal.
Bellevue wasted little time in equalizing as Starkus found the back of the net for the second time off a pass from Guzman in the 65th minute. Guzman put BU up 3-2 when he scored a goal of his own in the 69th minute as some shifty footwork and a howler were too much for the WPU keeper to deal with.
The score would remain there until the ball came to Hernandez's feet inside the crowded 18-yard box where he would put it past the keeper to earn the Statesmen a dramatic draw.
The Bruins out-shot William Penn on the afternoon by a count of 13-10, including an 8-6 edge in shots on goal. BU owned an 8-5 advantage in corner kicks as well on the evening.
There was little in the way of chances in the first overtime period as each side managed to record just one shot off target.
Bellevue nearly secured the win in the 102nd minute. Scott Robson sent in a corner kick that was dealt with but collected the clearance attempt from William Penn and made deke before sending in another cross that found the back of the net via a header, but the linesman ruled the play offside, and the score remained 3-3.
William Penn's best chance in the second overtime came in the 107th minute when Diego Navarro took a shot in the box but BU's AJ Jarvis was up to the task and went to the ground to make the save.
Bellevue's three goals are the program's most in a season-opener since they scored six times in a 6-1 win over Doane to open the 2009 campaign.
Bellevue next plays on Thursday, Aug. 24 at 4:30 p.m. in Denver, Colo. against Johnson & Wales University.