Men's Soccer Advances to KCAC Semifinals With 3-2 Win Over Bethany

McPHERSON, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) --- McPherson College advanced to the semifinal round of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Men's Soccer Tournament with a 3-2 win over rival Bethany College on Saturday at The Kennel.

The fourth-seeded Bulldogs (13-4-2) struck early as David Mwinga (Santa Rosa, Calif.) scored in the sixth minute off a cross from Nick Torres (McPherson, Kan.). The Swedes (7-8-2), seeded fifth, countered in the 15th minute as Michael Haight beat McPherson keeper Aaron Parrott (Wichita, Kan.) for a goal off an assist from CJ Lewis.

Edward Gomez (Lancaster, Calif.) gave the hosts the lead back just nine minutes later with a goal off a cross from Mwinga. That lead would hold through the halftime break. 

Torres extended the Bulldog lead to 3-1 in the 54th minute, scoring off an assist from Brayam De La Cruz (Bellevue, Idaho).

Bethany cut the deficit to a single goal in the 69th minute when Lewis took a deflection in the box and drove it into the net but could get no closer.

As one might expect from rivals, a small amount of chippyness entered into the proceedings as the teams combined for nine cautions -- five for Bethany, four for McPherson.

Both teams had plenty of opportunities in the match as McPherson outshot Bethany, 25-20. The Bulldogs also held a 10-7 advantage in shots on goal, while the Swedes led in corner kicks, 6-5.

Christopher Kelly (Glasgow, Scotland) had eight shots - including two on goal - to lead McPherson, while Torres added six shots (four on goal) and Mwinga five.

Haight led all players with nine shots and four on goal. Lewis added four, including thrre on goal, and Gabriel Goncalves added three.

Parrott was credited with four saves, while Bethany goalkeeper Jose Sanchez had three.

Awaiting the Bulldogs is a trip to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, on Wednesday, Nov. 9, to face top-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan (18-0-1). The KCAC tournament semifinal match is tentatively slated to start at 7 p.m. The Eagles won the regular season meeting between the two schools, 3-1, on Oct. 15 at McPherson Stadium.