MANKATO, Minn. - The Bethany men's soccer team Saturday hosted Martin Luther and was able to defeat the Knights by a score of 5-1. With the win the Vikings move to 3-1-2 on the year while the Knights fall to 1-3-1. 

"One thing we were really excited about was that we got every healthy field player on the field today," said Head Coach Derick Lyngholm. "Obviously the victory is something we love and getting on the scoresheet early and often was great also."



Bethany got the scoring started early in the first half when a ball was kicked by about five different players and deflected around in the MLC box until Andre Silva was able to tap it into the back of the net to take the early 1-0 lead. It didn't take long after for the Vikings to strike again, as Danny Pilot delivered a pass to Aidan Whitcomb who found Antonio Lima who powered one into the back of the net from the edge of the box to give Bethany a 2-0 cushion. Neither team would score the remainder of the half, as the home team entered the break up 2-0.

In the second half, the Vikings were back on the attack early, and this time it was Sam Irsfeld who found the back of the net for the first time this season. Irsfeld dribbled through the Knight defense looking to distribute, but found a seam and was able to put one past the Knight keeper to give Bethany a 3-0 edge. Just minutes later, Gijs van Eldik was tripped in the box and received a penalty kick and it was van Eldik who put one into the top left corner to put the Vikings up 4-0. With just under 15 minutes to play, Bethany was on the attack again and it was Agostino Quadrio Curzio who played one ahead to Edvin Leppaniemi who had a good look on net but made a perfect pass across to Raheem Graham who was able to tap it in and give the Vikings a 5-0 lead. Martin Luther was finally able to break the ice with nine minutes left, as a ball made its way past the Viking defense and a Knight forward was able to touch it home for the final goal of the contest as Bethany took a 5-1 victory.

Mason Steffen got the start in net for Bethany and made one save while allowing one goal.

The Vikings will next be action on Friday when they host UW-Superior for a 4:30 p.m. contest.