MEN’S SOCCER

The top-seeded Bethel Pilots (18-1-1) knocked the 4th-seeded Huntington men’s soccer team out of the Crossroads League Tournament Wednesday night at Morey Field by sending their guests home with a  1-0 loss.

The stakes were high in the semi-final matchup with the win sending the hosts to the championship game of the CL tourney where they will square off against the upset-minded Cougars of Spring Arbor on Saturday. SAU, seeded sixth, picked off 2nd-seeded Grace 1-0 in tonight’s other semifinal game.

Tonight’s battle was a contest between two squads that are known for putting the ball in the back of the net but on this given night, defense was on display as evidenced by the final score. Bethel came into the contest averaging 3.2 goals per night while HU came in averaging 2.4 goals.

The game’s only goal was at the foot of Luan Bressy ten minutes into the second half. It’s just the fourth time this season the Pilots have been limited to a single score. For the game, Bethel fired off 19 shots, 13 on frame, to Huntington’s five of which two were on target. Corner kicks also favored the hosts 7-3. Pedro Moreira took the loss in goal for HU but not before tracking down nine saves.

“I could not be more proud of the boys,” said Coach Russ Lawson. “I felt like they gave everything they had. They bought into the tactics of the game and were massive in the box.

“Yes, we defended well tonight but we also had the ball more than the first time we played them, and we were able to generate a handful of opportunities. Bethel is certainly deserving of their #6 ranking but yet I thought our guys were fantastic. It was just unfortunate we didn’t get the result.”

The Foresters wrap up the season with an overall record of 13-6-1.