Nealon’s late goal lifts women
■ JBU earned its third straight shutout to start the season.
Inspired by a large home crowd and a quality opponent, the John Brown women’s soccer team continued its strong start to the 2018 season Friday.
The No. 24-ranked Golden Eagles got a second-half goal from sophomore Sienna Nealon and JBU hung to defeat Bellevue (Neb.) 1-0 in front of more than 2,000 fans at Alumni Field.
With the campus hosting First Friday Futbol — in honor of JBU’s first home games of the season,
fans packed the stands and filled the surrounding areas of the field to watch the Golden Eagles record their third straight shutout to start the season.
“It’s a great night,” said JBU head coach Kathleen Paulsen. “We love it. It’s exciting to have this many people out from the community supporting us.”
And the Golden Eagles found themselves in a battle for the entire match.
JBU outshot Bellevue — which is receiving votes for the NAIA Coaches Pol — 21-11, but the Bruins had several quality scoring chances. The game was also very physical in nature.
“I think we needed a little swift kick in the rear,” Paulsen said. “They’re good. They should be a top 25 team easily.”
JBU looked like it had taken an early 1-0 lead in the first half, but a Jastin Redman goal was wiped off due to an offsides call.
The game remained scoreless at halftime, and JBU made some adjustments, Paulsen said.
“We were only attacking one way,” she said. “I said, ‘Hey, how do we attack in a multitude of different ways?’”
It produced a goal for the Golden Eagles in the 78th minute.
Aspen Carpenter played a long ball ahead to Hannah Sweaney on the right flank. Sweaney crossed in to Katherine Haar, who’s shot deflected off Bellevue keeper Sabrina Staufenbiel.
Nealon, who’s from Rogers, was there to put the rebound back in the net for the game-winner.
“Definitely our team was working all together,” Nealon said. “It was never just one person going to goal. Our coach told us, go to line and slide it back, that’s what Hannah Sweaney did. And Katie (Haar) followed it and pressured the goalie, and I was there for the backup, and I got lucky.”
The goal was Nealon’s first of the season. She said it was exciting to play in such a festive environment.
“It was an amazing atmosphere,” she said. “We’re really thankful.”
Nealon’s goal came as a the result of a Bellevue turnover, one which proved costly, according to the Bruins’ head coach.
“Our keeper made a great save on the initial strike,” said Bellevue coach Andy Nicolarsen. “She came out big and made a huge save. They picked up the rebound and just put it in — not a whole lot we could do. The turnover in the midfield kind of cost us though.”
Nicolarsen was impressed with the quality of team that JBU is.
“They’re a very, very good team,” he said. “(They have) depth, speed and technique, so we were happy to hang with them. It would have been nice to get a result.”
With the win, JBU moves to 3-0. Caitlyn Logan got the win in goal for the Golden Eagles and made four saves.
The Golden Eagles are scheduled to return to action at 7 p.m. on Saturday at home against No. 6 Southeastern (Fla.).