Bruins fall short in battle of ranked Cornhusker State squads

SEWARD, Neb. -- Esther Soenksen's 77^th minute goal was the difference as the No. 16 Bellevue University women's soccer team fell to No. 21 Concordia University 2-1 on Saturday evening.

Soenksen scored her third goal of the season in the 77^th minute off a pass from Jessica Skerston to give Concordia a 2-1 and the Bulldogs would hold on from there. After taking Skerston's pass Soenksen unleashed a shot from the far left, about 12 yards out that beat sophomore keeper Bailey Petzoldt.

Bellevue jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with senior Michelle Dolder's first goal of the season, coming in the ninth minute. Dolder collected a rebound after fellow senior Betsy Fischenich's initial attempt was saved by Chrissy Lynn and didn't miss from eight yards out. Senior Kate Petersen started the sequence after a Concordia foul, but her shot was blocked before Fischenich picked up the loose ball.

The lead was relatively short-lived as Kaylee Brown equalized for the Bulldogs in the 19^th minute. Soenksen's shot was saved by Petzoldt before Brown collected the rebound just off the goal line and finished.

Following the first half of play the two sides went into halftime level at 1-1. Concordia had out-shot Bellevue 7-6 (4-3 on goal) while corner kicks were even at one apiece. Bellevue was whistled for seven fouls in the opening half while Concordia was called for five.

Petzoldt made her season debut in goal for the Bruins, stopping four shots in the match.

For the match Bellevue owned a 13-11 advantage in shots (Concordia held a 6-5 edge in shots on goal). Each side gained four corner kicks and Bellevue was called for 15 fouls while Concordia was whistled for 10.

Bellevue (0-2-0) returns to play on Friday, Sept. 4 against Dordt in the Pizza Ranch Classic in Sioux Center, Iowa at 4:15 p.m.