Bellevue claims NSAA Women's Soccer Championship

OMAHA, Neb. -- The top-seeded Bellevue University women's soccer team scored three goals in a span of 6:22 in the first half en route to a 6-1 victory over second-seeded University of Jamestown to claim the North Star Athletic Association Championship on Sunday afternoon at Collin Field.

For the Bruins, who were playing in their 12^th-straight championship game, they won their eighth conference tournament title during that run. They wrap up the season with an overall record of 12-5-1 and will await the selection committee's decision regarding an at-large bid to the National Tournament which will be announced next week.

After a tight first 36 minutes which saw few chances either way, Bellevue got on the scoreboard. The Bruins won a corner kick in the 37^th minute that Kristin Hanson sent into the box for a free ball that reached Eliany Parra on the far side who one-timed the bouncing ball into the back of the net for her first goal as a Bruin.

The Bruins didn't have to wait long to extend their advantage to 2-0. Lauren Clark came racing down the far side and played a ball into the box that a Jamestown defender attempted to clear over the end line, but put the ball into her own net in the 39^th minute.

BU pushed their lead to 3-0 in the 43^rd minute.  Hanson played a long ball out of the back to Michelle Dolder who found her way in behind the Jimmies back four. Dolder carried the ball inside the 18-yard box and chipped a shot over UJ keeper Lauren Sayler for her fifth goal of the season.

Dolder provided an insurance goal in the 60^th minute. Clark sent in a cross from the near side that the keeper knocked down initially but the ball found its way to Dolder's feet. She settled the ball and delivered a strike low and back in the direction in which the ball came for her second goal of the game.

Rylan Mahoney added a fifth goal for the Bruins in the game's 73^rd minute. Hanson again sent in a corner that Mahoney headed down, past the keeper, to the near side.

The Jimmies got a goal back in the 75^th minute. Elyse Stewart sent a cross into the box from the far side of the field that Lateasha Hughes headed up, over the Bruin keeper to avoid the shutout.

After assisting on an earlier goal, Clark found her way onto the score sheet in the 80^th minute. She took a pass near midfield, dribbled into the box, and had her first attempt saved before collecting the rebound and putting it into an open goal.

Jamestown concludes their campaign with an overall record of 12-6-1.

Laurence Rodier stopped four shots while Sayler made four stops for the Jimmies. Bellevue out-shot Jamestown 17-10 for the game, including holding a 10-5 edge in shots on goal. Corner kicks went 11-1 in favor of the Bruins.