Late charge lifts SCU to win in NCCAA opener

From SCU Sports Info.
Matthew Stephens, Sports Information Director

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Top-seeded Southwestern Christian University scored three unanswered goals in the final 20 minutes and defeated Bethesda (Calif.) 4-2 in the opening game of the NCCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championships at Austin-Tindall Regional Park Monday. 

The Eagles fell behind 2-1 in the 52nd minute, but surged back in front with goals in the 73rd, 81st, and 87th minutes. The win put SCU in first place in Pool A with three points. 

Bethesda jumped on top in the 29th minute when Diogo Pereira scored the tournament’s first goal.

The Eagles leveled the match at 1-1 in the 39th minute when Igor Stojanovic got a long ball from Keenan Douce and scored from the top of the penalty area.

Pereira scored his second goal of the match off a deflected ball in the box and put the Flames back in front 2-1 in the 52nd minute.

In the 73rd minute, Lucas Louriero scored off an SCU corner kick and knotted the match at 2-2. 

Daniel Roberts delivered the game-winning goal in the 81st minute when he scored off a corner kick from Mathew Yeoman.

Jamie Campbell put the game away when he scored in the 87th minute and gave SCU a 4-2 advantage.  

The Eagles will finish pool play against sixth-seeded Southern Wesleyan (S.C.) at 1 p.m. CST Wednesday, Dec. 2, at Austin-Tindall Regional Park in Kissimmee, Fla.