North Newton, Kan. — October 26, 2024

Bethel College men's soccer team showcased offensive firepower, defeating Saint Mary 6-4 in a thrilling, high-scoring match. The Threshers saw significant contributions from Aleksa Oborina and Gabriel Okita, Oberina with the hat trick and Okita with two goals, leading Bethel to a crucial KCAC win.

First Half: Early Goals and Lead for Bethel

Bethel struck quickly, with Gabriel Okita scoring in the 6th minute to give the Threshers an early 1-0 lead. Saint Mary responded in the 38th minute to tie the game, but Bethel regained the advantage just two minutes later when Filip Maksimovic found the net, making it 2-1. The teams went into halftime with Bethel holding the slight edge.

Second Half: Offensive Explosion and Key Finishes

The second half saw a flurry of goals from both sides. Bethel extended their lead to 3-1 in the 57th minute, with Oborina scoring his first goal unassisted. Saint Mary responded with a goal in the 61st minute, but Bethel quickly answered as Oborina scored again in the 75th minute, assisted by Lucas Pardo, bringing the score to 4-2. Saint Mary narrowed the gap with two goals in quick succession, equalizing at 4-4 in the 84th minute. However, Bethel maintained their composure and struck back decisively. Oborina completed his hat trick in the 87th minute, assisted by Andrija Mitkovic, putting Bethel up 5-4. Just two minutes later, Okita scored his second goal of the match off an assist from Pardo, sealing the 6-4 victory.

With this win, Bethel continues their push in KCAC standings. They will finish up their regular season this week!