PAPILLION, Neb. -- Adi Kasel scored her first collegiate goal and Alessia Ricciardi stopped the only shot on goal she faced as the Bellevue University women's soccer team opened the 2024 season with a 1-0 victory over Dakota Wesleyan University on Saturday evening.
Just 65 seconds into the match, Kasel pounced on a Tiger turnover and ripped a shot from outside the box to the lower left corner of the goal. It was Bellevue's first shot of the match.
Bellevue out-shot Dakota Wesleyan 10-1 in the first half and 5-0 on goal as they held a 1-0 lead into halftime.
DWU saw Kori Harshman sent off in the 44th minute with a straight red card and then had their head coach dismissed just ahead of halftime.
Isabella Gregg made 11 stops in goal for Dakota Wesleyan to keep the Tigers close.
Ricciardi turned away Annika Enevoldsen's shot in the 69th minute, the closest Dakota Wesleyan came to scoring.
The Bruins peppered seven more shots on frame in the second half but were unable to stretch their lead before holding on for the one-goal victory.
Bellevue dominated the stat sheet, out-shooting DWU 26-2, including 12-1 on goal, and taking all nine corner kicks in the match.
The Bruins return home on Saturday, Aug. 24 when they entertain Northwestern College at 2 p.m. from Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
