Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - History continues to be rewritten for the Bethel University men's soccer team. Today's dramatic 2-1 overtime win against Macalester marks the first win for the Royals over the Scots in 15 years, making it the second time in just one week that Bethel has upended a longtime oppressor.

Brian Holm (Fr., Champlin, Minn.) buried a pass from Christopher Dirks (Jr., Excelsior, Minn.) into the back of the Macalester net for the game-winner, sending the Bethel contingent at the Ona Orth Athletic Complex into a frenzy. The goal was Holm's third of the season and his first collegiate game-winner.

"I'm just so excited right now," said an exasperated Holm, "I don't know what to say, this is awesome. I really thought Chris was going to take it in himself, but then he flipped it over to me and instinct just kicked in and I scored and we won the game."

Macalester's Scott Petesch put Bethel in the hole 1-0 with five minutes remaining in the first half when he scored his first goal of the season, unassisted.

Bethel came charging back in the 57th minute when the tandem of Brandon Peplinski (Jr., Maple Grove, Minn.) and Andreas Scott (Jr., Cedar, Minn.) connected to tie the game as Peplinski scored his second goal of the season.

"That [goal] felt really good. We knew we needed to tie things up because they're a good team and we had been playing with them the whole game," said Peplinski.

From there, the game remained at a 1-1 deadlock for the rest of regulation, setting the stage for Holm to become the hero of the day.

As the score might suggest, the two teams played a relatively even game, with Macalester holding a one-shot edge in each period. Nick Kantor (Sr., Buffalo, Minn.) made 13 saves on 14 shots, while Scot goalkeeper Matt Weyer made eight saves on 10 shots.

"I'm so proud of the way we played today," said Head Coach Pepe Jon Chavez with a hint of hoarseness. "To beat these guys for the first time in 15 years is a credit not only to how far this program has come but also how bad we want to win and be competitive in a tough conference. Now we need to carry this momentum into our next games and show everyone else that this wasn't a fluke."

Bethel is now 7-3-1 overall and 3-1-1 in the MIAC, while Macalester falls to 5-6-1 overall and 2-2 in the conference. The Royals get the rest of the weekend to enjoy the win before returning to the field next Wednesday, when they take on the Carleton Knights at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn., at 7 p.m., under the lights.