Courtesy: Bethel College Athletics




Men's Soccer Wins NAIA Futsal Nationals

The Bethel College Pilots men’s soccer team won the 3rd Annual 2008 NAIA Futsal Nationals defeating rival Goshen College, IN 11-3 in the final.

Bethel was eliminated in 2007 National semi-final in Milwaukee, Wisconsin losing 4-3 to Hannibal Lagrange of Missouri. Bethel had an opportunity to revenge their 2007 loss facing the defending national champions in the 2008 semi-final. Bethel defeated Hannibal LaGrange 8-7 in a teeter totter match that had Hannibal-LaGrange leading 4-3 at half time and Bethel surging to an 8-5 lead with 5 minutes remaining in the game. Hannibal-LaGrange pulled out all the stops including switching their keeper to a field player and pressing the Pilots hard but it was not enough to upset the determined Pilots.

The final was a determined and systematic disassembling of the Goshen team which had defeated Lindenwood University, Missouri to advance to the final. The 11-3 final score was an indicator of the Pilots superiority in all aspects of the game beginning with standout keeper Scott Terry who played with a vengeance and became a frustrating wall to the Maple Leafs. Zach Ganzberg stepped into the final hammering 3 goals home as well as Arran Horton adding his own three.

Tournament goal leaders included Tim Jenkinson with 11 and Jorge Marquez with 9 as the Pilots outscored their opponents at nationals 49 to 22. The Pilots dominated the Midwest League going undefeated and going 4-0-1 at nationals giving them the record of 17-0-3 for the 2008 Futsal season.

The Pilots' nationals roster was Scott Terry, Jason Richardson, Ian Pagan, Raul Barillas, Arran Horton, Arron Patrick, Tim Jenkinson, Humberto Trejo, Oscar Jimenez, Jorge Marquez, Zach Ganzberg, Evan Grubbs and Nick Bartlett.






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com