LIVONIA, Mich. — The Bethel Pilots Men’s Soccer team (1-0) started the season with a ranked 2-0 win over the NAIA 17th-ranked Madonna Crusaders.
The Pilots scored early in the ninth minute off the first corner kick of the game, where Tim Noeding fired a rocket on the outer edge of the box for the first goal of the season.
After three saves by Mathis Neuhaus, Andres Gonzalez Maza scores off a saved second-chance shot in the 30th minute to put the Pilots up 2-0.
The Crusaders were close to drawing two penalty kicks by drawing fouls just outside of the box but put pressure on the Pilots early in the half before Bethel controlled possession into halftime.
The Pilots kept the Crusaders silent in the second half as Neuhaus saved three more shots and earned his first career shutout.
In the overall series, Bethel took the lead 3-1-2 since 2009 and has a win streak of two over Madonna.
“The first game was amazing. It is really good to start with a win, especially against a really good team like Madonna,” said Piero Sabroso.
“It was a really good first and second half, but we have a lot of things to work on; we will be better in the next game,” Thiago dos Santos said.
SCORING SUMMARY
‘9| Tim Noeding (1) unassisted
’30| Andres Gonzalez Maza (1) assisted by Tim Noeding
NEXT TIME OUT
The Pilots host the Fall Classic at Morey Field for their home opener against the Governors State Jaguars on Thursday, Aug. 24, at 7:00 PM on the Bethel Sports Network.