By Andrew Snyder
Sports Information Intern

GOSHEN, Ind. — The Goshen College men's soccer team conceded once in each half as the Maple Leafs fell to rival Bethel College 2-0 Wednesday evening in Crossroads League play at GC's John Ingold Athletic Complex.

Finn Luben opened the scoring for the Pilots (6-5, 1-1) in the 33rd minute when he hit a shot from distance that drifted over the outstretched hand of Goshen goalkeeper Johan Escalante and into the back of the net. Neither team could muster another goal, combining for just three more shots, in the rest of the have, and the teams entered halftime with the score still 1-0. Bethel dominated the shot chart, taking a 12-2 advantage in the opening stanza while the Maple Leafs (2-5-3, 0-2) took both corner kicks of the first 45 minutes.

Each team came out of halftime with similar game plans to the first half; Goshen sitting back and looking to methodically work forward while the Pilots looked to get their attackers down the sidelines and behind the Maple Leaf defense. A Bethel corner kick in the 76th minute from Lucas Moreira was deflected towards the back side and bounced off of a Goshen defender into the goal, giving the Pilots a 2-0 lead.

The Maple Leafs' best chance came a few minutes later when a cross from sophomore Ethan Francois-Ravalier connected with senior Josh Stoltzfus, whose flick-on found junior Brodie Nofziger. Nofziger was able to find the back of the net, but unfortunately was judged to be in an offside position and so did not actually halve the deficit.

Freshman TJ White led Goshen with four shots. Bethel finished with 18 shots, which Goshen countered with nine. The Pilots also won the corner kick battle with a 6-3 edge. Escalante made four saves in the loss while Philip Keller recorded five saves in the shutout for Bethel.

Goshen returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Huntington, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. following the women's contest that starts at 5 p.m. Stats, audio and video for both games can be found at goleafs.net/live.

Click "play" below to hear postgame comments from Goshen coach Arron Patrick.