MANKATO, Minn.  – The Bethany men's soccer team (1-14-2) hosted Maranatha Baptist (8-8) on a windy and cloudy Saturday afternoon. The game was action-packed, back and forth, as the two teams combined for a total of 37 shots.
 
The Vikings came out aggressive right from the beginning. One minute into the game, freshman midfielder Wesley Shade put a hard shot on goal that was deflected over the crossbar at the last second. Less than a minute later, freshman midfielder Jakob Burgess put a shot on goal. In the fifth minute, Burgess put a corner kick into the box giving freshman midfielder Vincent Ayodi a shot opportunity on goal that was again deflected away by the Sabercat's goalkeeper. The Vikings had another great opportunity 21 minutes in with a hard shot from senior forward Broderick Brown. The Sabercat goalie knocked Brown's shot to the ground, creating a follow up opportunity, but the Vikings were not in position to capitalize. The momentum slipped from the Vikings and favored the Sabercats towards the end of the first half. The Cats broke the scoreless tie with eight minutes remaining, getting a goal from graduate forward Steven Thompson. Although the Vikings controlled the majority of the first half, they went into halftime down 1-0.
 
The second half was again full of chances for the Vikings with balls hitting the post, just missing the net, or shots that forced great saves by Sabercat goalie Andrew Taylor. Taylor finished the game with 12 saves. The Sabercats didn't have as many chances in the game as the Vikings, but they capitalized on the ones they got. The Sabercats scored their second goal of the game 60 minutes in to take a 2-0 lead. The Vikings finally caught a break and scored a goal with about eight minutes remaining in the game. Sophomore Jonathan Sehloff buried a penalty kick into the back of the next. The goal reenergized the Vikings who fought hard until the end, but the Sabercats got the victory by a final score of 2-1.
 
The Vikings had the offensive aggressiveness and advantage throughout the majority of the game. The Vikings tallied 24 total shots, 13 on goal, compared to 13 shots and seven on goal for the Sabercats. The Vikings also eight corner kicks compared to three for the Sabercats.
 
Up Next: The Vikings are back in UMAC action on Wednesday, October 25 when they host Martin Luther at 7:15 PM.

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MEDIA: If you need further information, please feel free to contact Dan DeWitt at 507-344-7856 or email ddewitt@blc.edu