Pilots Can’t Solve Wildcats in Crossroads Clash
Marion, Ind. – The Bethel men’s soccer team traveled to Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday evening and dropped a 2-0 decision. The (RV) Pilots fall to 8-4-2 overall and 2-2-1 in the Crossroads League with four matches remaining in the regular season.
The Wildcats (5-6-2, 2-2-1) put the pressure on the Pilots early, with four shots in the match’s first 17 minutes, three of them saved by Philip Keller. The Pilots had their own chances early, missing on three shots in the first half as well. The Wildcats broke thru with just over seven minutes left in the half as Sammy Conti pushed the ball past the Pilot defense and beat Keller to the right side to take a 1-0 lead heading into intermission.
The Pilots picked up the attack in the second half, forcing the Wildcat keeper into three saves in the first 25 minutes of the second period. The Pilot defense kept the Wildcats at bay for most of the second half, until Glauber Oliveira broke through in the 72nd minute on their first scoring opportunity in the second half for the final 2-0 margin.
The Pilots threatened in the 83rd minute but Jose Barquin could not find the net and the Wildcats denied the Pilots a shot at a pivotal road victory in the Crossroads League.
The Pilots continue on the road on Wednesday at St. Francis and a 4:00 pm kick-off.
