Box Score Duluth, MN. - The St. Scholastica Men's Soccer team closed out their weekend with a game today, Saturday, September 21 against the Bethel University Royals. The heated match was back and forth the whole game, but the Royals were able to edge the win 4-3.
How it Happened
1st Half
Right from the kickoff, both teams battled to keep control of the ball. In the opening 10 minutes, there were multiple shot attempts. But the Royals were first to get on the board at 4:45 off of a corner kick.
The Saints were quick to strike back at 5:53, David Lopez (Jalisco, Mexico/Universidad de Guadalajara) pumped one high into the net for a picture-perfect goal. The score was 1-1.
The game became fairly even after the 10 minute mark, the Saints' defense held up their end, as they blocked a massive shot attempt from the Royals.
Bethel made a series of substitutions, which helped them tally two more shots on target. After the goalkeeper kicked the ball back into play, the Saints took possession and had two on-target shots in just over 30 seconds.
It was not until 36:10 that the Royals added another goal, a miscommunication from the Saints hindered them from shutting down the shot. The Royals led 2-1.
Just six minutes later, the Royals capitalized again, they took a two goal lead 3-1. The Saints turned around and took one right back at 43:03 from Harry Cook (Fareham, England/Henry Cort Community College).
The first half ended with a 3-2 lead in favor of the Saints.
2nd Half
The second half began with higher intensity than the first, with such a tight score, both teams wanted to run away with it. The Saints had the first on target shot of the half, by Ayub Mohamed (Lewiston ME/Park High School) at 51:18, but it was denied by the Bethel goalkeeper.
There was not much action following the shot, both teams remained in the neutral zone with many throw-ins occurring.
It wasn't until 62:54 that the Royals scored again, they took a two-goal advantage, 4-2.
The game was getting increasingly chippy, both teams had several freekicks due to fouls. With the Saints down by two, there was no room for mistakes. At 70:30, Gabriel Marchesoni (Surrey, BC, CA) took a penalty kick, he perfectly placed his shot in the top left corner of the net. The score was now 4-3 in favor of the Royals.
After a series of debatable plays, multiple yellow cards were given out. But play continued back and forth with only 10 minutes remaining in the game.
Up Next
The Saints have a quick turn around with another home game on Monday, September 23 at 3 p.m. against the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at Kenny Harkins Field.
