ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University men's soccer team rallied from a pair of one-goal deficits Friday afternoon, scoring twice in the second half to defeat Simpson College, 3-2, at Ona Orth Athletic Complex.
The win moves the Royals to 3-1 on the season, while Simpson moves to 1-1-1.
Simpson struck first in the 34th minute when Iain MaCrae found the back of the net to give the Storm a 1-0 advantage.
Bethel wasted little time finding an answer. Less than three minutes later, Sawyer Owens netted his second goal of the season off an assist from Noah Ahlquist, pulling the Royals even at 1-1 in the 37th minute.
The two sides carried the 1-1 tie into halftime.
Simpson regained the lead quickly out of the break as Tim Sedlock scored just 1:22 into the second half, putting the Storm ahead 2-1.
The Royals responded by turning up the pressure offensively. Bethel generated 11 shots in the second half after recording five in the opening 45 minutes.
That pressure paid off in the 73rd minute. Ahlquist scored his first goal of the season with assists from Roy Kyle and Chris Van Gorder, bringing the match level once again at 2-2.
With less than five minutes remaining, the Royals completed the comeback. Jack Gerber set up Kyle, who found the back of the net in the 86th minute for his first goal of the season and the eventual game-winner, giving Bethel its first lead of the afternoon at 3-2.
Bethel finished with a 16-7 advantage in shots, including an 8-6 edge in shots on goal. The Royals also held an 8-7 advantage in corner kicks.
Griffin Blokker made four saves in goal for Bethel, while Simpson goalkeeper Nate Hersom finished with five.
Ahlquist led the Royals' attack with a goal and an assist, while Kyle added a goal and an assist of his own. Owens rounded out the scoring with his second goal of the season.
The Royals improve to 3-1 overall with the victory.
Up Next: Bethel returns to Ona Orth Athletic Complex on Tuesday, Sept. 15, for a 4 p.m. home match.
