SALINA, Kan. — Bethel lost to Kansas Wesleyan 3-2 on Wednesday. The Threshers were outshot 18-7, including 10-3 in the second half.
Bethel absorbed an early Kansas Wesleyan stretch that included four shots and a corner kick while the match was still scoreless, then broke through when
Ricardo Navarro scored off
Branden Balvanz's assist. This marked Navarro's first goal of the season. Kansas Wesleyan later moved in front, but the Threshers answered in the second half as Balvanz scored from a
Christopher Casadelrrey assist to bring the match back even at 2-2. Balvanz has now scored in two consecutive games. After that equalizer, Bethel had another defensive stretch with the match tied, getting through five Kansas Wesleyan shots without conceding.
Kansas Wesleyan finished with an 18-7 advantage in shots and an 8-4 edge in shots on goal, while Bethel put four of its seven attempts on frame.
Diego Medina made five saves while facing eight shots on goal. Balvanz was involved in both Threshers goals, finishing with a goal, an assist and two shots on goal, while Navarro scored on his only shot attempt. Bethel also finished with 14 fouls, three yellow cards and one red card, compared with 11 fouls and one yellow card for Kansas Wesleyan.
Up next, Bethel hosts Ottawa on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 1:00 PM in North Newton, Kan., as they continue KCAC play.
