NORTHFIELD, Minn. – History was made Tuesday afternoon as the Bethel University men's soccer team earned its first-ever MIAC Playoff victory in program history under the tournament format incorporated in 2003. Traveling to fourth-seeded and defending MIAC Playoff champion Carleton for the quarterfinals, the fifth-seeded Royals defeated the Knights with a goal from sophomore forward
Youssef Abdallah in the 54th minute and junior goalkeeper
Juan Valdivia Cortes' third straight clean sheet.
HOW IT HAPPEND
• Valdivia Cortes' first save of the day was a big one as the Knights flicked it into the open field where a Carleton forward outraced BU's backline. A shot from just inside the box was saved by a diving Cortes before eventually being cleared out 20 minutes in.
• Abdallah nearly broke the scoreless tie with under 15 seconds to play in the first half. Trying to split a pair of Carleton defenders from eight yards out he stumbled through them as time expired.
• The Royals came out roaring in the second half creating a successful scoring opportunity in the 54th minute. Just inside the attacking third Howell fed Abdallah on the far side. Abdallah worked back towards midfield taking a shot at the top of the box that deflected of a Carleton's player shoulder and into the back of the net.
• Valdivia Cortes continued to be a brick wall along with the aid of the back line. Carleton's third corner kick of the half came with just under 14 remaining. Off his line, Valdivia Cortes punched it away where Carleton's rebound shot on frame was stopped by a defending
Ryan Swanda.
• The Knights tried one last ditch effort to force overtime, but the back line cleared it away.
MATCH NOTES
• Bethel snapped a 10-match losing skid to the Knights. It's the Royals first win over Carleton since Oct. 22, 2011 where they won by an identical score of 1-0.
• Improving to 10-8-1, its the most wins by a BU squad in a season since 2009.
• Abdallah's goal snaps a streak of three matches where BU went without scoring against the knights.
• The goal was Abdallah's third of the season and sixth of his career.
• Valdivia Cortes earned his fifth shutout of the year.
UP NEXT
The Royals have a quick turnaround looking forward to a semifinals match at second-seed St. Olaf Wednesday, Nov. 2. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.
