| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Olivet Nazarene (16-4-1) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
Bellevue (16-2-2) | 2 | 0 | 2 |
OMAHA, Neb. – The RV Olivet Nazarene men's soccer team was eliminated from the NAIA National Tournament falling to the No. 8 Bellevue University Bruins 2-1 Thursday afternoon. The Tigers end their season after claiming both the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles. They conclude the 2021-22 season with a 16-4-1 overall record.
Bellevue created the first quality opportunity of the match being awarded a free-kick just outside the Tigers' penalty box. A well-struck attempt forced Mike Giannotta into a full-stretched save to keep the game scoreless only three minutes into the match. For the third consecutive game, ONU opened the scoring within the first 10 minutes. A quick counter through the middle with a final touch-pass from Max Jasper played Justin Eisenmann in on goal. His cool finish made it 1-0 six minutes in.
The Bruins responded by turning up the pressure and pinning the Tigers in their own half. Bellevue outshot Olivet Nazarene 12-2 in the first period. The pressure resulted in the equalizer in the 30th minute of play. A long ball to the far post was controlled by Anthony Cox leading to the finish. ONU threatened to regain the lead five minutes later when Kurodo Ihara curled a ball into the path of Marten Imping via a counterattack. His space was quickly closed down by the Bruins' defense to close the door before his shot attempt could reach the goal frame.
BU held the large 9-0 advantage in corner kicks in the first 45 minutes of play. The ninth and final attempt with under a minute to play in the half found its way to Oumar Sissoko for an acrobatic finish to take their first lead of the match going into the half.
Halftime: (No. 8) Bellevue 2, (RV) Olivet Nazarene 1
Olivet Nazarene needed a goal in the second half to extend their season. Eisenmann served in a cross that was deflected towards goal by a Bruin defender. Caught wrong-footed, the BU goalkeeper had to readjust to make a reaction save off the post at the 62:43-minute mark. Giannotta came on top in a 50/50 challenge in the 64th minute. A floated ball beyond the backline intended for a BU attacker invited the Tiger keeper to come off his line for a strong two-fisted punch clearance.
Eisenmann once more looked to net his second goal of the match at the 71:36-minute mark, but could not steer his shot attempt on frame. Kenny Huber brought additional attackers in the final 10 minutes of play looking to force overtime. With just under five minutes to play, a flurry of shots from Fabio Hasler, Max Jasper, and then Kurodo Ihara could not test the Bruin goalkeeper.
Tigers outshot the Bruins in the second half 8-2 but only directed two on the frame. A goal could not be found as time expired ending ONU's 2021-22 season.
GAME VITALS
Final: No. 8 Bellevue 2 ,(RV) Olivet Nazarene 1,
Records: (RV) Olivet Nazarene: 16-4-1 (10-2-1 CCAC) | No. 8 Bellevue University: 16-2-2
Location: Al F. Caniglia Field | University of Nebraska Omaha | Omaha, Neb.
QUICK HITS
- Max Jasper now sits in sole possession of first in all of NAIA in points with 54 on the season.
- Mike Giannotta recorded two saves in the match
- Justin Eisenmann netted his 13th goal of the campaign.
- ONU scored the most goals for a season in program history why tying the least amount of goals conceded since the 2014 season.
THANK YOU
ONU Athletics would like to congratulate and thank the players and staff of the Olivet Nazarene men's soccer program for a fantastic season. We would like to wish the seniors the best of luck in their future endeavors.
--ONU—
*Contact: Patrick Kaindl, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, pkaindl@olivet.edu
