#7 BU falls to #2 WPU in Top 10 match-up

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- John-Joe Mullane scored the game's only goal as No. 2-ranked William Penn University defeated the No. 7-ranked Bellevue University men's soccer team 1-0 on Wednesday evening at the Renner Dennis Outdoor Athletic Complex.

Bellevue dropped to 2-1-0 with the loss while William Penn picked up their first victory of the year, improving to 1-1-0.

William Penn opened the scoring inside of the first five minutes. Leighton Jameson played a cross from about 35 yards out to John-Joe Mullane at the center of the box and Mullane headed the ball back across the goal mouth for a 1-0 lead for WPU.

The Statesmen continued pressuring forward, generating the majority of the attack and chances, throughout much of the first 20 minutes.

Juan Lagares stemmed some of the momentum in the 23^rd minute when he ripped a shot at the goal frame that rang off the left post for the Bruins.

Bellevue continued forward from there, getting more attacking play going. BU won a free kick from inside of 25 yards in the 34^th minute with Buster Honeywood's shot taking a deflection off the wall and dipping just over the crossbar for a corner kick.

Neither team had many great looks the remainder of the half and WPU carried a 1-0 advantage into halftime. Shots were even at six apiece in the first half, though Bellevue put two on goal to one for the Statesmen and each team won one corner kick.

Each team won a penalty in the second half but both keepers came up big for their respective sides.

Kaden Simpson stopped Jameson's attempt in the 51^st minute and Ryan Walsh-Rowe saved Buster Honeywood's attempt in the 68^th minute.

After a stop on Honeywood's shot, William Penn played the ball out of the back, springing a counterattack. Jaime Rozalen found himself in behind the defense after a defender whiffed on a slide-by tackle but his effort missed the goal wide.

Angel Valdez had another chance for WPU to extend their lead in the 73^rd minute. He worked himself into a dangerous area and unleashed a screened shot that Simpson made a last-second adjustment to punch away.

William Penn out-shot Bellevue 13-11 on the night while shots on goal were even at three apiece. The Statesmen racked up four corners to BU's one and fouls were roughly even with the Bruins being charged for 17 and WPU 16.

Bellevue returns to the pitch on Saturday, Aug. 30 when they travel to Dubuque, Iowa for a 7 p.m. kick-off from Burrows Field against No. 23-ranked Clarke University.