Second half rally lifts BU to comeback win over DWU

MITCHELL, S.D. -- Four second half goals saw the Bellevue University women's soccer team rally from a two-goal second half deficit to defeat Dakota Wesleyan University 4-2 on Saturday afternoon at the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex.

The Bruins improve to 2-0-0 to begin the season while the Tigers, playing their season-opener, drop to 0-1-0.

Dakota Wesleyan opened the scoring in the 16th minute with Annika Evenoldsen scoring her first goal of the year. Evenoldsen got in behind the Bruin defense on a counter-attack, working herself into a 1-on-1 situation with the keeper where she made a move before sliding home her shot for the goal.

Much of the first half was played evenly, and the goal notwithstanding, neither side was able to seize control of the match.

The Tigers carried that lead into halftime on the strength of a 7-6 advantage in shots and a 3-1 edge in shots on goal along with a 2-1 advantage in corners.

DWU doubled their lead in the opening minute of the second half. Hannah Petrucci took a cross in the center of the field, settled the ball with her first touch and created space with a second before slotting home her first goal inside the near post.

After conceding a second goal, Bellevue found their stride and began taking control of the match, owning the better of both the possession and the chances the remainder of the way, including out-shooting DWU 11-3 in the second half.

Bellevue pulled a goal back in the 49th minute. The Bruins won a set piece about 30 yards from goal where Prescillia Casu sent in an in-swinging ball that connected with Adi Kasel's head to halve the DWU advantage. The goal was Kasel's first of the season.

The Bruins tied the game in the 69th minute as Maju Serrano found Sam Mausbach unmarked in space at the far side of the box. She settled the ball with her first touch before beating the keeper for her first goal in a BU uniform.

A chaotice corner in the 78th minute saw the Bruins complete the comeback as Aileen Perez jumped on a loose ball and blasted home the go-ahead strike high into the back of the net. The goal was her second of the season.

Just 82 seconds later Olivia Wahl netted her first collegiate goal. A cross into the box that was punched aside by the keeper went right to Wahl's feet who took a touch before chipping home the 79th minute strike.

The Tigers had a chance to pull a goal closer when Evenoldsen found herself 1-on-1 with the keeper again but this time was denied and Bellevue closed the game out from there.

Abril Cura totaled two stops for the Bruins in the victory while Abigail Colgrove finished with three saves in goal for DWU in the loss.

The Bruins out-shot Dakota Wesleyan 17-10 for the match, including posting a 7-6 advantage in shots on goal while each team won three corners on the afternoon.

Bellevue returns to the pitch on Wednesday, Sept. 3 when they host Concordia University in their home-opener at 5:30 p.m. from the Renner Dennis Outdoor Athletic Complex.