Quick start sets tone in season-opening win for BU

MITCHELL, S.D. -- Katrina Avila scored less than four minutes into the game and Ximena Jauregui struck twice to lead the Bellevue University women's soccer team past Dakota Wesleyan University 5-0 on Saturday in the season-opener for both sides.

Katrina Avila wasted no time getting the Bruins season off to a positive start, opening her collegiate goal scoring account in the fourth minute off a pass from Morgan McIlnay.

While Bellevue controlled play throughout the remainder of the half, it appeared the Bruins would take a 1-0 lead into the half. The Bruins out-shot DWU 13-2 in the opening 45 minutes but did not add a second tally until the 40^th minute when Ximena Jauregui came up with a turnover in the area and slotted home a shot inside the far post from 16 yards.

Taylan Murphey pushed the lead to 3-0 71 seconds before the break, taking a pass from Maju Serrano, turning and chipping the Tiger goalkeeper.

The second half saw the game get chippy; Deandrea Johnson earned a yellow, and 94 seconds later a sending off with a red following two very unsportsmanlike fouls. The official's action seemed to quell emotions as the remainder of the game same minimal incident aside from the two penalties.

Emma Madej earned a penalty in the 71^st minute following a hard tackle in the box. Jauregui stepped to the spot and ripped home her second goal of the game.

The second spot kick, in the 85^th minute, sailed over the bar off the foot of Kaycee Driever.

The Bruins added a late insurance strike in the 89^th minute. Driever played a long ball across the goal mouth onto Ella Pelletier who chipped a ball past the keeper.

Alessia Ricciardi earned the win and clean sheet in goal for Bellevue despite not facing a shot on goal.

The Bruins finished with a 25-2 advantage in shots, 10-0 in shots on goal, and a slim 3-2 edge in corner kicks.

Bellevue next plays at Morningside on Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 5:30 p.m. from Elwood Olsen Stadium in Sioux City, Iowa.