WICHITA, Kan. — For the first time in the NAIA’s modern history, the Round of 16 was played indoors, where the Pilots defeated the Westcliff Warriors (Calif.) 2-0 at the Scheels Stryker Soccer Complex on Tuesday night.
After a silent first half, Piero Sabroso put the Pilots on the board after drawing a foul in the box, resulting in a penalty kick in the 56th minute for his 12th goal.
Thiago dos Santos sent a deep ball into the box, finding Luan Bressy, who took on the keeper 1-on-1, chipped it up, and let it roll to the back of the net to secure the 2-0 lead and the victory.
Sabroso is now 2-for-2 in penalty kicks in the NAIA final site and is 2-for-2 on the season. Mathis Neuhaus recorded his sixth clean sheet of the season and his first of the postseason.
Bethel is the last Crossroads League team standing after Grace fell to MidAmerica Nazarene and Indiana Wesleyan fell to Bellevue (Neb.) in Round 16.
SCORING SUMMARY
56’| Piero Sabroso, penalty kick (BU)
79’| Luan Bressy, assisted by Thiago dos Santos (BU)
NEXT TIME OUT
The Pilots face NAIA 18th-ranked MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers on Thursday, Nov. 30, at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the NAIA Network.