By Andrew Snyder
Athletic Marketing Coordinator

MISHAWAKA, Ind. — Uriel Macias entered the scoring column again for the Goshen College men's soccer team, but two first-half goals for Bethel College were enough for a 3-1 victory over the Maple Leafs on Wednesday night at Morey Field.

While both sides looked for possession in the opening few minutes it was the Pilots who struck first, as a corner kick to the far post in the eighth minute was headed back towards the top of the six-yard box. Ian Billin got a touch toward the frame that proved enough to cross the goal line, taking a 1-0 lead on Henry Schaumer's assist.

Goshen (8-3, 1-1 Crossroads League) generated numerous opportunities through the first 45 minutes, especially Macias, who saw one shot hit the far post while another curled just wide. Then in the 36th minute, Pilot Tanner Gibson ripped a shot from outside the box toward the far post that then curled back to the right and into the net before the goalie could react.

"Tonight was a tough loss," commented Goshen head coach Arron Patrick. "Bethel is a good team, but we can't start a game with so little energy and expect to win. Two of the goals tonight were from outside the box; we have to put pressure on the ball. The other goal was down to us not being organized on a set piece. Teams won't break us down very often, but we can't give up goals from that far out or on set pieces."

Entering the halftime break the scoreboard read 2-0 with both teams credited with six shots. Bethel (7-2-2, 1-0-1 ) took three corner kicks to Goshen's one.

The Maple Leafs cut the deficit in half in the 68th minute as Ethan Francois-Ravalier possessed forward through the midfield and slotted Macias into the right side of the box. There the forward took a setup touch before driving the ball low and past Keller between the pipes and into the far-side netting.

"I thought Ethan was great tonight," mentioned Patrick. "He did a great job on both sides of the ball and led by example."

With the momentum, Goshen saw many chances at an equalizer. Just seven minutes later, though, the Pilots entered the scorebook again as Samuel Biek's shot from just outside the top of the 18-yard box hit the left post and ricocheted back into the goal for the 3-1 Bethel lead.

"Offensively, after the break we woke up," continued Patrick. "I thought we were the more dangerous and better side in the second half. A couple of calls could have gone the other way, but as of yet this year that luck hasn't been on our side. Saying that, we should have executed better inside the box from a couple of good opportunities."

Goshen finished with a 14-12 shot advantage and took seven corners to Bethel's five. Junior goalkeeper Johan Escalante made one save for the Maple Leafs, while Pilot goalie Philip Keller made seven saves.

"We need to bounce back and learn from this result," concluded Patrick. "I can handle losses as long as we learn and improve from them. We can't cry and think the world has ended. It's just one game. It hurts me a lot personally, but I'll always take a tough loss if it means growth for my team. These are my guys, I trust them completely, and I know there will be a positive response. This group of guys are so invested in this team. They really are brothers, and that strength will help us to recover quickly!"

Goshen's next chance on the pitch comes Saturday afternoon, traveling to Huntington for a 2 p.m. kickoff.