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Bellevue University made its first appearance ever in the NAIA men's national soccer tournament last year.
The Bruins took another step this season when they won their opening-round game against Bethel College (Ind.) and advanced to the round of 16 this week in Fresno, Calif.
Monday at 1:30 p.m. CST, they'll face top-seeded Lindsey Wilson, which has won seven national titles. The Kentucky team (16-2-1) has won eight straight and outscored opponents 41-1 in that stretch.
“Everyone is excited and looking forward to it,'' Bellevue coach Matt Briggs said. “It's the biggest game in the program's history. It's a great opportunity and challenge for us to play a team like that.''
Bellevue (14-3-1) and No. 21 Hastings College (16-4-2) both advanced to the round of 16. The Broncos face No. 12 Biola of California at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
“It's good for Nebraska to have two there,'' Hastings coach Chris Kranjc said. “Both teams will get a chance to see each other and root for each other.''
Briggs said his team isn't intimidated by playing a team with so much tournament history. The Bruins plan to attack from the start.
“We're going to try to play a tempo they can't match and try to push the pace of the game,'' he said.
The Bruins also will rely on their defense. They've given up two goals in the past 10 matches and shut out nine of their opponents in that stretch.
Defense also has been a key for the Broncos, Kranjc said. But he said finishing opportunities will determine how far Hastings advances.
He said his team finished its chances in its first-round, 2-1 win against the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, but not in a loss in the Great Plains Athletic Conference championship to Midland Lutheran.
Kranjc said the Broncos have been playing well, even in the loss to Midland, and he has a lot of confidence in how they'll do this week. Hastings has qualified six times and made it to the quarterfinals in 2008.
“They've been here before. They understand and they know it,'' he said. “Us being in the tournament, having the experience in the tournament, that helped us. We've been to Fresno and played under these conditions. That could work in our advantage.''
Contact the writer:
444-1034, marjie.ducey@owh.com
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