MANKATO, Minn. – Down 1-0 heading into the second half of Wednesday's contest with Crown, the Bethany men's soccer team put forth a strong effort in the second half scoring three goals to take a 3-1 win. With the victory the Vikings improve to 6-2 overall and 5-1 in the UMAC while the Polars fall to 3-6-1 overall and 2-2-1 in conference play.

Crown came out with a slow and methodical attack in this one, keeping a lot of possession early. The Polars used their three backers to draw the Vikings forward and then played up ahead through long passes and it was working early to keep Bethany on their heels. It was in the 24^th minute on a set piece that Crown scored the games opening goal, as they decoyed a few kicks before sending a ball into the box that was headed into the back of the net for the opening goal.

After the rest of the first half played scoreless, the Vikings came out with a renewed energy in the second. Ben Klausen made a handful of solid runs for the Vikings and it was his run in the 52^nd minute that evened the game. Klausen would carry the ball near the top of the box before finding Christian Edwards who played it all the way across the box to Lorenzo Falleti for a tap in goal.

In the 69^th minute Bethany would score again, as Daniel Almeida made a run and was tripped up by the Polar keeper to give the Vikings a penalty kick try that Raheem Graham would convert for a 2-1 lead.

It was 10 minutes later that the Polars would gain a penalty kick of their own, but Nick Lundberg would make a diving save on the ensuing PK to preserve the Vikings lead at 2-1.

With Crown pushing forward to make one last run, the Vikings would get another goal in the 88^th minute to all but seal the game as Gijs van Eldik scored courtesy of Almeida and Edwards.

Lundberg had a big day in the win, making five saves in the contest.

Bethany will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Northland for a 2 p.m. contest.