Late turnover spoils dominant performance

ATCHISON, Kan. -- An 81^st minute Bruin giveaway led directly to Benedictine College's second goal on just their second shot on net of the game as the home-standing Ravens defeated the Bellevue University men's soccer team 2-1 on Saturday evening at the BC Soccer Complex.

Records:

#14 Bellevue: 1-2-0
(RV) Benedictine: 1-0-1

Recap: (RV) Benedictine 2, #14 Bellevue 1

Bellevue, playing their best game of the season to date, out-shot Benedictine 9-5 on the night but a pair of turnovers leading directly towards Raven goals were the Bruins' undoing in a 2-1 setback on Saturday night.

Inaki Aldao nearly gave the Bruins a dream start. Toby Millward played a ball into Aldao but Aldao was unable to put much pace on his shot from near the penalty spot and Isaac Jenkins made the save.

Benedictine took advantage a short time later. Following a Bruin giveaway, Ruairi Cotter played Girma Kassa in on goal and Kassa chipped AJ Jarvis far post to give the Ravens a 1-0 lead in the 14^th minute.

After Bellevue won a free kick in a dangerous area in the 22^nd minute, Bellevue had a chance to test the Benedictine keeper but Ramy Katit mishit a free kick that never troubled Jenkins.

A 34^th minute giveaway nearly saw Cotter double the Raven lead but his attempt sailed just over the crossbar and the game remained level into the half.

The Bruins seized all the momentum and control of the game after the halftime break. BU came out fresher as they dominated possession and chances in the second half.

Their breakthrough finally came in the 58^th minute. Aldao drew a foul just outside the area, in line with the near post. The Benedictine wall rebuffed Millward's initial attempt, but Joel Roesler collected the rebound and sent a shot on target that deflected into the net to pull BU level.

That is where the score line remained until Dylan Posada picked off a Bellevue pass in the 81^st minute and fed Felipe Cepeda streaking in on goal and Cepeda beat Jarvis inside the post to put the host side up 2-1.

Bellevue had a flurry of chances late with three attempts on goal from inside the area in the final minute but were unable to convert and Benedictine escaped with a 2-1 win.

Coach Mark Heath-Preston:

"We created a lot of chances at the offensive end. It was two poor passes that led to their only two chances of the game - which they took. We will get back to work on the training ground and go again on Wednesday."

Man of the Match:

Kortlan Franke -- Playing out of position, Franke played really well; he was up to the task and answered every question asked of him.

Up Next:

Bellevue hosts Columbia College on Wednesday, Aug. 24 at the University of Nebraska Omaha's Caniglia Field at 7:30 p.m.

Notes:

• The loss was Bellevue's first when out-shooting an opponent on target since a 1-0 defeat to Midland on Sept. 9, 2017.
• Joel Roesler's goal was the first of his collegiate career.
• Through three matches, Bellevue has conceded a total of just eight shots on frame.