MANKATO, Minn. - The Bethany Lutheran women's soccer team Wednesday came back from a two goal deficit in the second half but were unable to hold on as Northwestern took a 3-2 victory. With the win the Eagles move to 9-8-2 overall and 9-2-2 in the UMAC while the Vikings fall to 10-6-1 overall and 9-4 in conference play. 



It didn't take long for Northwestern to strike in this one, as they brought a ball up the left side in the sixth minute and crossed it in where Haley Mersberger was waiting to punch it in and get her 21st goal of the season. She would then find the back of the net again in the 30th minute to extend the Eagle lead to 2-0. The Vikings put five shots on net in the first half as they were getting chances, but just couldn't convert as they trailed 2-0 after 45 minutes. 

It wasn't until the 49th minute when Bethany was able to take advantage of an Eagle mistake as they gained a free kick outside the box on the right side of the pitch. Asia Jota took the kick and went back corner of the net as she was able to play it over the Eagles keeper to cut the deficit in half with her second goal of the season. Then, in the 62nd minute, it was another free kick that was taken from a similar spot just a bit further back that helped the Vikings net the equalizer. Jota took the kick and Googie Mueller made a run at the front post and disrupted two defenders and the keeper from making a play on the ball and Elena Luján Rubio was there to tap it home to tie the game. The Vikings seemed to be holding onto control, until the 81st minute when Northwestern gained a corner kick. After it landed and bounced around a few times without being cleared, it was Mersberger who put home a great shot that proved to be the game winner for the Eagles as they held on for the 3-2 win.

Brooke Wolanin got the start in net and made three saves while allowing the three goals.

Bethany will be back in action on Saturday when they conclude the regular season at North Central in a 3:30 p.m. matchup.