Hastings Scores 5 Unanswered Goals in Incredible Comeback Win
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hastings (1-0-0, 0-0-0) | 1 | 5 | 6 |
|
Bethel (KS) (0-1-0, 0-0-0) | 2 | 1 | 3 |
(North Newton, KS) - The men's soccer team made the trip to play Bethel College on Wednesday in a non-conference battle. The Broncos trailed 3-1 in the second half, but scored five unanswered goals, including the game-winner by Tim Berger, to win 6-3.
Hastings trailed 2-1 going into the second half and five minutes into it, Bethel extended their lead back to two. The Broncos responded quickly with a goal in the 60th minute when freshman Tim Berger found senior Joe Vokins streaking towards the goal. Vokins was able to slip it by the goalkeeper to make the score 3-2.
Then, in the 70th minute, some crafty dribbling and a pass from sophomore Wade McWhorter set up freshman Nikolai Kostal for the game-tying goal, sending the Bronco sideline into a frenzy.
Berger scored the game-winning goal on a wild sequence in the 78th minute, where a header from McWhorter hit the crossbar, but ricocheted right to Berger, who headed the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 4-3.
Already with three second half goals, Hastings was not done scoring. Berger continued his outstanding second half, assisting Kostal for his second goal in the 79th minute. McWhorter put the finishing touches on the game, scoring in the 87th minute, to secure the 6-3 win.
For the first half of the game, the Threshers capitalized on their opportunities. Bethel's first shot of the game occurred in the 18th minute, but it was kicked just right to give the Threshers a 1-0 lead. They tacked on another goal in the 42nd minute to take a 2-0 lead.
Hastings appeared to be facing a 2-0 deficit going into the second half, but in the final minute of the half, a free kick pass from senior Lewis Bowes to Juan Arteaga-Lopez gave the Broncos some momentum going into the break, only trailing 2-1. Bethel would score to open the second half, but then it would be all Broncos after that.
For the game, 12 of Hastings' 14 shots were on goal, compared to 7 of 10 shots on goal for Bethel. The Broncos got four goals by bench players, all of which came in the second half comeback. Kostal, Berger, and McWhorter combined for 4 goals on 7 shots (all of which were on goal), and three assists.
Up next, the Broncos will host Park University at 1pm on Saturday, August 31 at Lloyd Wilson Field.
