CHICKASHA, Okla. -- First-half goals from Ashlee Davison and Ilse de Jong proved too much for the Bellevue University women's soccer team to overcome as the Bruins fell 2-0 at the University of Science & Arts on Saturday.
Suffering its first loss of the year, Bellevue fell to 5-1-2 this season, while Science & Arts remained unbeaten on the year, improving to 7-0-1.
Science & Arts held the bulk of the early possession and saw a run of sustained pressure in the build-up to their first goal. The Droves put up six shots in four minutes, with the final strike finding the back of the net.
Bellevue's Ashlyn Coreas was dispossessed in the 11th minute and Daniela Salinas received a pass from a midfielder. She carried into the box and sent a pass across to the top of the area to Ashlee Davison, who took one touch to the left and shot from just past the penalty spot for the game's opening goal.
USAO found a second goal in the 28th minute. A Bellevue foul saw the Drovers win a free kick off the corner of the box. Ilse de Jong sent in a left-footed shot that curled into the far corner for a 2-0 advantage that Science & Arts took into the half.
Bellevue saw its best chance come in the opening moments of the second half. Emma Madej carried the ball deep into Drover territory but was met at the top of the box by goalkeeper Ashlyn Lonberg, who blocked the shot attempt with her body.
Science & Arts had a chance to put the game away at the hour mark. A cross into the box saw Dagbjort Gudmundsdottir come up with possession in space, but her hurried shot rang off the post as the game remained 2-0 to the host side.
The Bruins pressed forward over the game's latter stages but came up with few more quality looks despite possessing the ball in some dangerous areas as USAO held on for the win.
Alessia Ricciardi finished with three saves in goal for Bellevue, and Lonberg finished with a pair for the Science & Arts.
The Drovers out-shot BU 17-6 on the night, including 5-2 on goal, and won five corners to the Bruins' one.
Bellevue returns home to host Mid-America Christian University on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 1 p.m. from Papillion Landing.
