Men's Soccer | 11/5/2013 9:14:00 PM
Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College men's soccer team finished their regular season with an entertaining finale as they took out Bethany College 3-2 in a rainy overtime contest. MC secured the second seed in the upcoming conference tournament with their 7-2 league record; the 'Dogs are 10-7 overall.
"I was impressed with our composure tonight and determination to win," said head coach Doug Quint. "After scoring an own goal we could have really dwelled on that, but didn't. Our team regrouped well and continued to play. I really felt we deserved more offensively but have to give credit to their keeper tonight as he made some good saves and made it tough for us."
Senior Johnny Nuthall (Reno, Nev.) against the team that originally brought him to Kansas, scored the game's first goal less than five minutes into the contest. Bethany would score the next two goals with the first coming after a defensive miscue by Mac in the 25th minute. Shortly thereafter the Swedes flew one in past keeper Taylor Parrott (Wichita, Kan.) to take a 2-1 lead into halftime.
The 'Dogs came out in the second needing to score as a loss would put them third in the conference rankings. Octavio Villa (Desoto, Kan.) delivered in the 72nd minute as he put the ball in the back of the net off a Danny Calleja (Oceanside, Calif.) service. The teams took the 2-2 tie into overtime.
It took just under six minutes before the game winner was scored by McPherson's Calleja who vaulted McPherson into a first round bye of the KCAC tourney.
Mac peppered the Swede goal, taking 20 total shots and placing 14 on frame. Calleja ended the contest with a team-high five shots, placing three on target with the one goal. Oscar Cortez (Dallas, Texas) and Nuthall each totaled four attempts at goal; Cortez saw all four of his saved while Nuthall snuck one past the keeper and had two more knocked back.
McPherson goalie Parrott surrendered the two goals and had one save to his name in the 96-minute overtime win.
"This was a nice way to finish the regular season. Securing a top seed in the tournament is nice in that we get some much needed rest and a lot of time to prepare for the semi-final round."
As the number two seed of the KCAC Postseason Tournament, MC is warranted a bye on this weekend's games and will have their next contest against the winner of the No. 3 vs. No. 6 contest. McPherson will play in Topeka, Kansas at the Hummer Sports Park on November 15th at 1:30 p.m. (CT)
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