The women's soccer team had their season end at the hands of Park University on Friday afternoon in the semifinals of the NAIA Region IV Tournament. The Bruins fell to the Pirates 4-0 in Salina, Kansas ending their season with a record of 10-8-2.

Park University, 12-4-2, took a quick 1-0 early lead when Laura Baeza scored off a rebound on Dena Pires' corner kick. Bellevue had their opportunities in the first half with runs by Ashley Carter, but the Bruins went down 2-0 at half with a penalty kick by Maria Ruiz.

Ruiz's penalty kick came in the 27th minute with a foul called on the Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Jessica Wachtler. At intermission, Park had a 10-3 shot advantage having played with the winds at their backs.

In the second half, Bellevue come out early on the attack and took 11 shots to 6 of their opponents. Senior Ali Fauble, had a penalty kick opportunity to close the gap, but her attempt missed the goal high.

Maria Ruiz scored her second goal of the match in the 50th minute putting Park up 3-0. The Pirates scored the final goal in the 68th minute (4-0).

Bellevue University, 10-8-2, had 14 shots in the match, 4 from senior Jessica Wachtler, 3 on goal. Whitney Ferguson and senior Valerie Bohls each had 2 shots. Jessica Baker had 9 saves in the loss.

Park University, 12-4-2, had 3 shots each from Maria Ruiz and Ashley McDowell. Seven other Pirates had shots in the match as Megan Newland had the victory with 6 saves.

A special thanks to senior's, Jessica Wachtler, Ali Fauble, Valerie Bohls and Ashley Carter for your years at Bellevue along with being a part of the program's first-ever MCAC tournament championship and sharing the first-ever regular season league title. Also, a thanks to your family and friends who have supported you in your career while at Bellevue.

Bruins defeat Lady Braves 4-1; face Park University in semifinals

OMAHA, NE - - As the temperature dropped, the Bruins heated up scoring three goals in the second half to defeat Ottawa University 4-1 in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Region IV quarterfinals at Tranquility Park on Wednesday night. Bellevue scored first on an unassisted goal by freshman Jaclyn Walsh in the 20 minute to give the Bruins a slim 1-0 lead at intermission.

Bellevue controlled the game taking 29 shots in the match holding the Lady Braves of Ottawa University to four shots, all taken in the second half. Jessica Wachtler, the 2007 MCAC Co-Defender of the Year, gave Bellevue a 2-0 scoring in the 51minute on a corner kick that curled around the near post past the Ottawa keeper. Sophomore Whitney Ferguson scored on an assist from Becky Hake putting Bellevue on top 3-0. The senior from Bellevue, Neb., Ashley Carter, scored the team’s final goal of the night two minutes later unassisted from 10 yards away.

This is the fourth straight season Bellevue has recorded ten or more victories, this all under the instruction of head coach Andy Nicolarsen who won his 50th career victory two weeks ago against College of Saint Mary. Bellevue is now 10-7-2 on the season and will advance to the semifinals of the NAIA Region IV tournament.

Ashley Carter led the all-too-often attacking Bruins with six shots, three on goal, with 11 others also recording shots. Ferguson and Ali Fauble had four shots each as Jessica Baker allowed a single goal with three saves winning her 10th match this year. Bellevue had 17 shots in the first half with 12 more in the second with a 9-1 advantage on corner kicks.

Ottawa University, the No. 6 seed in the tournament, had four shots in the match all coming in the second half with their lone goal from Rebecca Schreiber in the 77th minute. Samantha Cooke had the assist for the 8-10-2 Lady Braves. Shannon Fisher will register the loss with eight saves playing 90 minutes in goal.

Bellevue will turn around and head on the road to Salina, Kansas for the final two rounds of the tournament hosted by the No. 1 seed Kansas Wesleyan University. The Bruins will face No. 2 seed Park University in the semifinals on Friday, November 2 at 1 p.m. The winner will advance to the championship match on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. and will face either #1 Kansas Wesleyan University or #5 McPherson College for the automatic berth to the 2007 NAIA National Tournament on November 14.

PARKVILLE, MO -- Bellevue University fell to Park University on Saturday afternoon at Julian Field, 2-0, giving the host Pirates the MCAC Tournament Championship trophy.

Bellevue, 9-7-2 on the year, had five shots in the match, two from Ashley Carter (Omaha, NE) and one each from Whitney Ferguson, Ashley Engdahl and Jessica Wachtler. Jessica Baker had four saves in the match allowing a pair of goals.

The Bruins committed 14 fouls in the match to 18 of the host Pirates. Bellevue had two corner kicks in the loss and four from the home team.

Park University, 11-4-2, picks up the victory taking 11 shots, 6 on goal with scores in the 36th and 38th minutes. Maria Ruiz put Park on the board first to take a 1-0 lead from Natalie Parker with an own-goal to put the Pirates up 2-0.

Ruiz led Park with four shots, three on goal, while Park had three shots in the victory, two on goal. Megan Newland registered the victory playing all 90 minutes in goal with a pair of saves.

Bellevue will advance to the NAIA Region IV Tournament that will begin next Wednesday, October 31, with the conclusion next weekend on November 2-3 at the host site, Park University. The Bruins, most likely, will host a first-round match on October 31 at Tranquility Park. Check the website for further information.

Next: NAIA Region IV Tournament (Oct. 31, Nov. 2-3)

(press release: courtesy Steve Wilson - Park SID)

PARKVILLE, MO - Priscilla Flores scored on a left-side crossing pass in the 83rd minute to send Bellevue University past College of Saint Mary 2-1 in the semifinals of the 2007 MCAC Women's Soccer Tournament Friday at Julian Field.

Bellevue out-shot CSM 13-7 in the game, including a 7-2 edge in shots on goal.

Saint Mary took an early 1-0 lead when Molly McGowan found the back of the net unassisted in the 20th minute, but Bellevue quickly tied, as Flores buried an unassisted attempt on a loose ball in the box to knot the game at 1-1.

Flores led the Bruins with two goals and two shots, while Erika Roberts and Jaclyn Walsh each fired three shots, and both put one on frame in the semifinal win.

The Flames were paced by two shots each from McGowan and Jen Haney. Laura Fobes played all 90:00 in the net for CSM earning five saves but giving up both Bruin goals.

Jessica Bakers had one save and gave up a goal in 90:00 in goal for Bellevue.

Bellevue takes on Park University Saturday at Noon in the MCAC Championship Game at Julian Field.

Next: @ Park University; 12 noon (10/27)

The women's soccer team have been crowned MCAC regular season champs. This will give the Bruins their first-ever regular season title since the programs induction. Bellevue finished the season 8-6-2 overall and 4-1-0 in the conference and will share the regular season title with Park University (4-1-0) and College of Saint Mary (4-1-0).

Bellevue lost to Park this past weekend, 2-4, but College of Saint Mary defeated the Pirates in a make-up match on Monday (3-2 OT) making it a three-way tie.

The host site of the tournament was determined by longo points (tie-breaker) and will be played this weekend at Park University starting on Friday, October 26.

The match times have yet to be determined; however, Bellevue will hold the No. 2 seed in the tournament and will face College of Saint Mary, the No. 3 seed, in the first round.

Bellevue defeated the Flames, 1-0, earlier this season in a conference match held at Morrison Field.

Broadcast  Available

The women's soccer team had their five match win streak end in Missouri this Saturday, 2-4, against Park University as they wrap up their conference- and regular-season schedule.

Ashley Carter (Omaha, Neb.) put the Bruins (8-6-2) on the board first with a shot beyond 25 yards over the Park keeper taking a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute. Park University evened up the match 18 minutes later with a goal from Maria Ruiz (34:04) from Laura Baeza.

Park Unviersity used the same combination taking a 2-1 lead in the 35th minute. Freshman transfer, Jaclyn Walsh, tied the match 2-2 for the Bruins at the 43rd minute unassisted.

In the second half, Larua Baeza scored in the 58th minute to take a 3-1 lead which also ended up being the match winning goal. Park's Natalie Parker sealed the victory with a late goal giving the Bruins their first conference set-back (4-1-0).

Bellevue had 7 shots in the match, three from Ashley Carter, as Jessica Baker picks up the loss allowing 4 goals with 5 saves. The Bruins committed 10 fouls to 15 of Park adding a pair of corner kicks.

Park University, 9-3-2 overall and 4-0-0 in the conference, had 18 shots, six from Maria Ruiz and four from Natalie Parker. The host Pirates had 3 corner kicks as goalkeeper, Monika Stoiber, records the victory.

Bellevue, 4-1-0 in the conference, will await their conference tournament seed, location and times as CSM and Park have a make-up match on Monday evening. The league tournament will begin on Friday, October 26.

Next: MCAC Tournament (10/26)

OMAHA, NE - - The Bruin women's soccer team extended their win streak to four matches with a 1-0 victory over cross-town and conference-rival College of Saint Mary at Morrison Stadium Monday night. Bellevue University improved to 7-5-2 on the season winning their second straight over the visiting Flames since their first-ever victory a season ago at the MCAC Tournament.

Both teams had their opportunities in the match, Bellevue with the best chance when Priscilla Flores took a throw-in and turned sending the ball through to Andrea Perez who had beaten her defender. Perez had a one-on-one opportunity but it was stopped short when all-region and all-conference keeper, Laura Forbes, slide out stopping the attack.

The attack continued for Bellevue throughout the second half, but the Flames had a 5-3 edge in shots over the final 45 minutes. Bellevue's break came in the 87th minute when a College of Saint Mary defender committed a foul giving two-time NAIA All-American Jessica Wachtler a free-kick from 30 yards away.

The Flames in an attempt to clear the cross, the errant header off the College of Saint Mary defender went past Forbes for an own-goal putting Bellevue on top 1-0 with over two minutes to play. Bellevue University held on after the Flames' final attempts went wide for the victory improving to 3-0 in the conference with two matches remaining.

Ashley Carter (Bellevue, NE), Andrea Perez (Papillion, NE) and Jessica Wachtler, who scored the game-winner against Dordt, each had two shots apiece for the Bruins. Bellevue committed 10 fouls to 8 of College of Saint Mary as Jessica Baker will record the victory picking up 5 saves.

College of Saint Mary, 8-5-0 overall and 1-1-0 in the conference, had their three-match win streak snapped taking 9 shots, three each from Melissa King (Omaha, NE) and Daniela Padilla (Papillion, NE). Laura Forbes had four saves in the loss.

Next: @ Oklahoma Wesleyan University, 2 p.m. (10/17)

Bellevue University capitalized on a golden opportunity as a Dordt foul was called with time winding down in the overtime frame Thursday evening. Jessica Wachtler, the two-time NAIA All-American and last year's MCAC defensive player of the year, took the free kick from beyond 30 yards and placed it perfectly over the out-stretched arms of the Dordt keeper sending the Bruins to their third straight victory.

Bellevue, 6-5-2, have increased their winning streak to three matches with the 3-2 overtime victory in Sioux Center, Iowa. The Bruins fell behind when Dordt took a 1-0 lead off an unassisted goal by Kate DuMez. Five minutes before intermission, Erika Roberts, who has played well with a goal and two assists on Tuesday, scored unassisted from the right side in the 40th minute.

Intermission came and went with both teams knotted up at 1-1 until Kate DuMez scored her second goal of the match for Dordt (6-5-1) giving the host Defenders a 2-1 edge. Bellevue, having scored 21 goals in their last three matches, were able to rebound as Erika Roberts scored off a through pass from Jaclyn Walsh with 23 minutes left before regulation.

At the end of 90 minutes, Bellevue and Dordt were tied at 2-2, similar to last season when these same two teams played to a 110 minute draw at Tranquility Park.

The Bruins, having been out-shot in the match 10-13 by the end of regulation, had 4 shots in the overtime with the fifth shot from Wachtler to seal the victory. The win puts the team over .500 for the first time since starting the season at 1-0.

Next: College of Saint Mary (10/15); location and time TBD

OMAHA, NE - - The women’s soccer team opened their conference schedule with a 4-2 victory over Central Christian College on Saturday afternoon scoring three goals in the first half giving the Bruins their fourth victory of the season. Anastasia Dascalos scored first for Bellevue in the 16th minute taking a 2-0 lead with Priscilla Flores scoring five minutes later from Jaclyn Walsh.

The host Bruins, 1-0-0 in conference, tacked on another goal before intermission and their last in the 49th minute from Ashley Carter, her third of the season. Central Christian didn’t go away scoring twice in the second half. The first from Paula Spencer as Bruin keeper misplaced the goal kick and from Suzanne Johnson in the 79th inute. Bellevue held off a late surge by the visiting Tigers picking up the home victory.

Flores led the Bruins, 4-5-2 overall, with six shots in the match, five on goal, as Stephanie Balkovec, Ali Fauble, Veronica Ramos and Carter all had three shots a piece. As a team, the Bruins outshot the Tigers 26-3 in the match with a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks. Jessica Baker will register the victory playing 90 minutes allowing two goals.

Central Christian College, 7-5-0 overall, had three shots in the match, two of which were from Paula Spencer who also scored. The Tigers, losing two straight against conference opponents, had eight saves from Leah Stringer and committed only 2 fouls to 9 of Bellevue.

Next: York College; 2 p.m. (10/9) – Senior Night

The women's soccer team played to an 0-0 overtime draw this past Friday evening in Des Moines, Iowa against Grand View College. Bellevue goes to 3-5-2 overall while the host Vikings, receiving votes in NAIA, are now 7-2-3.

Bellevue had five shots from sophomore Anastasia Dascalos with two on goal while the team out-shot Grand View 20-15 in the match. Jessica Baker had six saves playing all 110 minutes in goal as the aggressive Bruins committed 8 more fouls than their opponents (21-13).

Grand View College had a team-high five shots by Molly Gunsaulus with three shots each from Ashley Thielen and Autumn Stephens. Crystal Floden, the Viking keeper, had 12 saves in the draw.

Next: College of Saint Mary; 7:30 p.m. (10/2)

BELLEVUE, NE - - The women’s soccer team halted their two-match losing streak by scoring 10 goals in a victory Monday evening over Bethany College. The Bruins scored nine minutes into the match then scored often thereafter taking the 10-0 shutout victory at Tranquility Park.

Bellevue recorded their second shutout of the season, after posting nine a year ago, taking 42 shots, 22 of which were on goal. The Bruin defense didn’t allow a single shot by the visiting Swedes with a 10 to 3 advantage in corner kicks.

Ali Fauble, the senior from Council Bluffs, put the Bruins on the board first with a goal at the end of the eighth minute when she picked up her second goal of the year 15 minutes later (23:59) from Jaclyn Walsh. Andrea Perez got in the stat book with an assist to Stephanie Balkovec in the 31st minute. Veronica Ramos scored after hooking up with Priscilla Flores to put Bellevue up 4-0. The Bruins took a 5-0 lead into intermission then scored only minutes in the second half going up 6-0 after Jaclyn Walsh scored on a Valerie Bohls assist.

Bellevue, 3-5-1, had two goals each from Stephanie Balkovec and Ali Fauble as Whitney Ferguson got in on the action shortly after the 20 minute rain delay. Perez scored the Bruins’ last goal in the 85th minute from Flores taking the victory. Jessica Baker registered shutout No. 2 on the season.

Bethany College, 2-6-1, continues to slide as they drop their fourth straight without scoring a goal in any of those losses. The Swedes were unable to take a single shot as the played a majority of the match on their own half. Sarah Garlock had 12 saves in the match picking up the lop-sided loss.

Next: @ Grand View College, 4 p.m. (9/28)

The women's soccer team dropped their second straight match going to 2-5-1 on the year following a close 2-1 loss at the hands of Kansas Wesleyan Friday evening. The host Coyotes scored late in the 43rd minute off a Heather Muilenburg goal from Nykollet Leyva.

Bellevue University had 7 shots in the match, 2 each from Whitney Ferguson, Jessica Wachtler and Priscilla Flores. Jessica Baker had 10 saves in the loss.

Kansas Wesleyan, receiving votes in NAIA, had 4 shots from Alexa Chico to lead the team as seven other players picked up a shot in the victory. Kelli Beatty allowed one goal with a save.

Bellevue held a 6-4 advantage in corner kicks but were unable to make anything inside the 18-yard box.

Next: Bethany College; 6 p.m. (9/24)

The women's soccer team was shutout for only the second time as they suffered their fourth loss of the season to No. 23 rated William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. Bellevue dropped their Tuesday night match 0-2.

William Jewell scored first holding onto a slim 1-0 margin the entire match, but a late goal sealed the victory for the Cardinals.

Bellevue's four losses this season have all come to the hands of rated teams; #6 Carroll College, receiving votes Benedictine College, #8 Concordia College (Ore.), and last night to #23 William Jewell.

The schedule doesn't get any easier for Bellevue as they will face Kansas Wesleyan University, No. 25, in a rematch of last year's region IV semi-finals.

Next: @ #25 Kansas Wesleyan University; 5:30 p.m. (9/22)

Jessica Wachtler scored in the 87th minute to give Bellevue a 3-2 victory over a struggling Northwestern College on Saturday evening in Orange City, Iowa.

Bellevue, down 0-1 halftime, scored all three of their goals in the second half to grap their second victory of the year, the first since their season opener.

Jessica Wachtler scored a goal and had an assist as the Bruins (2-3-1) registered their highest scoring output of the season with three goals.

Next: @ #23 William Jewell College; 5:30 p.m.

Concordia University (Ore.) handed the women's soccer program their third consecutive defeat on Sunday afternoon, 2-0. Bellevue allowed a goal in the 24th minute of the match and a defensive break-down allowed Concordia to score at the 89:22 mark.

Bellevue was only able to manage two shots in the match, one each from Ashley Carter and Anastasia Dascalos. Jessica Baker, the sophomore that recorded 9 shutouts last season, allowed her fourth and fifth goals of the season. Baker recorded 6 saves in the loss.

Concordia University, rated No. 6 in NAIA, had both goals scored by Justine Pronovost with the second from her sister, Jacke Pronovost, to seal the victory. Concordia improves to 4-2 on the season.

Bellevue committed 20 fouls to 11 of host Concordia and was unable to register a single corner kick as the Cavaliers had 15.

Next: @ Cascade College; 5 p.m. (CST)

OMAHA, NE - -Tranquility Park has not lived up to it’s home field advantage as Bellevue drops it’s second straight match in consecutive days. The Bruins fell short to the hands of Benedictine College, 1-2, on Monday night as Bellevue allowed a pair of first-half goals by the Ravens and had to play catch up the second half. Bellevue scored midway through the second period, but was unable to reach the back of the net for a second time. Bellevue has allowed 5 goals in the first half alone in their two losses.

Bellevue University, 1-2, were out-shot 8-10 in the match with two shots each coming from Vannessa Ramos, Ashley Carter and Priscilla Flores. Erika Roberts scored her second collegiate goal of the year from a double-assist by Flores who crossed it which was played off the head of Whitney Ferguson then to Roberts.

Benedictine College, 2-0, who scored 8 goals in a win over Concordia University (Neb.), was held in check offensively, but the two goals were enough. The Ravens changed the scoreboard first in the 23^rd minute when Tricia Hutchison scored on a double-assist from Anne Schafer and Sara Figoni. Kate Zackary scored what led to be the game-winning goal in the 31^st minute from Maddy Rogers.

Jessica Baker, Bellevue’s sophomore keeper, will suffer the loss allowing the two goals with a single save. Anne Freudenberg, Benedictine’s All-American scholar athlete had 4 saves allowing one goal for the victory.

Next Match: @ Concordia University (Ore.); 3 p.m.

The women's soccer team, 1-0, will host Carroll College to open their home schedule after a cancellation against Hastings earlier in the week.

Bellevue is currently rated No. 26 in the latest NAIA polls and picked second in the MCAC.

Bellevue is 1-0 after a season opening victory over the University of Sioux Falls on August 24.

The women's soccer team started their season with a bang defeating the University of Sioux Falls, 2-0, on Friday night in South Dakota. The Bruins and Cougars played to a scoreless first half, but didn't need more than a minute in the second half to take the lead.

Priscilla Flores gave Bellevue a 1-0 lead within the first minute of the second half off an Ashley Carter assist. Carter scored herself less than five minutes later to seal the victory for Bellevue. University of Nebraska-Lincoln transfer, Jacklyn Walsh, picked up her first Bruin assist on Carter's goal.

Bellevue, 1-0, will host Hastings College on Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. at Tranquility Park in Omaha followed by the men's match at 7 p.m. The Bruins are receiving votes in the preseason NAIA polls and stand second behind Park University in the conference and Region IV standings.