Thresher soccer teams sweep the Warriors for their first conference wins.
Lipocky and Zamora earn first wins as head coaches, defeating Sterling. 2-1 and 1-0
On Wednesday, both of the Bethel soccer teams welcomed the Sterling Warriors for a conference match-up. The women’s team would get started first as they fought until the end and earned their first conference win.
Bethel would look to control the game, creating various chances, finding Malaysia Larque, Taylor Andrew, and Beth Lloyd on top. The Threshers applied pressure from the beginning, forcing the Warriors’ goalkeeper to make saves early on.
“It felt good to get a win at home. Our team has been working for this; there is much more to accomplish, as this win has been long overdue for us,” said Larque, a sophomore from Wichita Falls, Texas.
Bethel got on the score sheet in the ninth minute of the match with a goal from Larque, assisted by Andrew. The Threshers shot seven more times before Sterling was able to capitalize in the 33rd minute of the match off a set piece, which would level the game and go into halftime tied.
In the first minute of the second half, Bethel established a rhythm as senior Lilli Reisser assisted freshman Aniaya Lugo for her first career goal. This would bring the score to 2-1.
‘I’m so excited that I’m on the score sheet. I was really happy to get my first collegiate goal at a home game; to me, it made it feel more special,” said Lugo, a freshman, from McKinney, Texas
Bethel would have 15 more shots but would not be able to convert. The game ended in a 2-1 win for the Threshers, making this their first win of the season and in conference play.
“We need to attack. We need to put more pressure on opposing teams,” said coach James Lipocky. “I’m happy to win a game, you know. Like I said, there were a couple of games that we should have won that we didn’t, so I’m happy.”
The men’s team was responsible for the later action, as they sought to earn their first conference win of the year. Before the game started, the men’s soccer team held a special tribute to Christian McCauley, a player from Oklahoma Wesleyan who passed away Sunday afternoon.
The Threshers would lay off the first couple of minutes, seeing what the Warriors would produce. Bethel then looked to turn up the pressure and keep the ball, trying to expose Sterling through the wide sides of the pitch.
The Thresher produced six shots in the first half, making the Warriors’ defense stay tight the whole match. Bethel would find the back of the net with three minutes remaining in the first half, as junior Joseph Armand won the header but was called back due to a foul. Both teams were tied at zero apiece going into halftime.
Things got rolling in the second half as Bethel looked to find a goal to keep the momentum going. However, Sterling started to attack more at the start of the second half, complicating things for the Threshers.
“It was great to win again, especially in front of our home fans,” said coach Juan Zamora. “We must be able to finish the ball and take our chance, and now we flip the page and focus on Southwestern.”
After a lot of back and forth action, the Threshers were able to find the back of the net with six minutes remaining in the game when junior Sief Ghodhbani lobbed a ball for freshman Branden Balvanz. He headed the ball to sophomore Aden Braggs, who was able to find the back of the net to make the game 1-0.
“It was great to finally win and score a goal at home. We have to take our chance and capitalize on them and score as many as we can,” said Braggs, from Dallas.
Up 1-0, Bethel had to close out the game with 10 men with five minutes remaining in the contest. The Threshers ended up taking the game, earning their first conference win of the year and second at home.
Both teams now carry momentum going into this weekend’s game for Fall Fest, when they host Southwestern College from Winfield. The women’s team is scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m., with the men’s game to follow right after.