NOV. 10 — Incredible Season Ends In Unfitting Fashion
Penalty kick shoot-out doesn't do stellar year justice in regional draw to Madonna

Brighton, MI — After a season which saw the Goshen College men’s soccer team eclipse the program’s best record since 1998, finish second in the Mid-Central Conference behind ninth-ranked Bethel College, compete for the MCC Championship for the first time in four years and reach the NAIA Region VIII first round match for the first time since the 2000 season, Wednesday night’s penalty kick shootout with Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference Champion Madonna University seemed an ill-fitted solution to break a 1-1 tie score.

Actually, it bordered on unsuitable.

But, after a full 90 minutes and two 10-minute overtime stanzas could not decide things between Goshen and the host Crusaders at Brighton High School Wednesday night, players lined up to take free shots at a guarded net to decide which team would advance in regional competition, as a combined 26 wins between the squads would come down to the individual act of penalty kicks.

Again, not a fitting end for a pair of teams so equally matched at the pinnacle of the season.

With neither squad able to change the rules of soccer, Madonna and Goshen players alternated kicks while the scoreboard read “1-1” just a few yards away. After four of the first five players for both the Leafs’ and the Crusaders’ buried their respective shots, another fivesome was selected by the teams’ respective coaches. Now in sudden death mode, freshman Tony Janzen was the sixth man for Goshen, and needed to make his shot to continue the kick-off following a made goal by Madonna’s sixth player.

After scoring the Leafs’ lone goal of the night in regulation, his penalty kick hit the crossbar and sailed harmlessly over the top of the apparatus. This is how Goshen’s magical season of 14 wins, four losses and four ties would conclude.

“This is obviously a tough way to drop a match, especially at this point of the year,” said Tavi Mounsithiraj, fourth-year Goshen head coach. “But, our team played with class, passion and a lot of heart and tonight it was just not meant to be. I am so proud of the team’s efforts over the past four seasons and especially proud of (seniors) Tom Stahly, Todd Pletcher, Dan Charles, Ben Steininger and Nick Yoder, who all made it possible for us to finish this season in the manner that we did. We are very proud of our program from where we’ve come from (3-16 record in Monsithiraj’s first season as head coach) to now. It just hurts to end it like this.”

It appeared that a tie-breaker of any sort would be the last thing on Goshen’s mind, as the quick Crusaders opened the game with a dominant speed game. On their heels from the outset, Madonna scored a nifty goal at the 17th minute mark to take a 1-0 lead and the momentum.

Sensing a need to make a change to deal with the host team’s collective speed, Mounsithiraj moved junior Josh Sprunger to the midfield from his usual forward slot, hoping to equalize the Crusader’s playmaking ability in the middle of the field.

His plan worked. Goshen dominated possession for the final 25 minutes of the first period, having several chances at the Crusaders’ net. Madonna was able to stave off the Leafs’ attack, and the score remained 1-0 at the half.

“Before the second half started I reminded the guys that we had yet to come back to win a game this year,” Mounsithiraj said. “Tonight was the night we were going to prove that we belonged. I told the guys that we needed an early score if we were going to get back in it, because I knew Madonna would use their speed and play the possession game more as the night went on.”

Mounsithiraj got his answer in the form of Janzen. With just 11 minutes elapsed in the period, Janzen took a pass about 35 yards away, with his back facing the goal. With a nifty move, Janzen turned the Madonna defender around completely and blasted a curving shot that landed in the upper left hand corner of the goal. Mounsithiraj said he couldn’t believe the shot that his freshman phenom — Janzen scored four goals and notched two assists in the last six matches — had completed.

“Oh, what a shot!” Mounsithiraj said. “There was little the Madonna keeper could do but clap his hands (as the ball went through). That goal was big time from a rookie in this stage of the season.”

With the scored knotted at 1-1, the teams began to trade relatively good looks, with both Madonna’s keeper and sophomore Craig Welscott coming up with quality saves (Welscott finished with 10 on the evening.) As the game progressed, however, fouls became much more commonplace than shots, as the ball remained in the middle portion of the field for the majority of regulation.

After no further scoring in the second half, the first overtime period provided the same result. Only five total shots were taken in the second overtime period, and the penalty kick procedure was discussed by game officials.

Pletcher began the tie-breaking system by making his shot. Madonna responded. Sprunger converted the next Leaf attempt, as did his following Crusader counterpart. Sophomore Adam Yoder then missed his attempt, setting off a huge ovation from the Madonna crowd. It was short-lived, however, as after a Madonna player and sophomore Joel Miller score it was the Crusaders’ John McIntyre who came up empty, tying the kick-off at three apiece. Sophomore Jesse Woodworth then connected on his attempt, as did the fifth Madonna player, to set up a sudden-death penalty kick situation.

After Madonna’s Phil Moore made his attempt to make the PK count 5-4, it was Janzen who put just a touch too much on his ball, sending it high and ending the shootout. With the result officially counting as a tie in the record books, Goshen’s season was over on a 12-man penalty kick-off.

“Playing in the regional for the first time in four years I really didn’t know what to expect,” Mounsithiraj said. “We knew that Madonna would have a very good team, and they did. I’m very proud of our effort both tonight and for the entire season. My hat is off to this club.”

Prior to Wednesday’s contest, Goshen had last competed in an NAIA regional game in the 2000 season, coming up just short in a 1-0 loss to Aquinas College. Madonna (12-5-2, 9-0-1) will next host Bethel on Saturday, a team the Crusaders have lost to in regional play shootouts in the last two seasons.

“We wish Madonna the best, as they played a very good, hard-fought game with us tonight,” Mounsithiraj said. “We will take some time to reflect on the year, and start working toward next season soon.”

Check back to this website for the most up-to-date team information and recruiting news throughout the off-season months.

NOV. 6 — Magical Run For MCC Title Concludes At #9 Bethel
Leafs drop 3-0 decision to Pilots; end five-game winning streak

Mishawaka, IN — Heading into Saturday’s Mid-Central Conference Tournament Championship match with the ninth-ranked Bethel College Pilots, the Goshen College men’s soccer team had the game plan. The team had the momentum. The team had the desire.

Sadly, the team could not come up with the execution.

Goshen (14-4-3, 5-2-1) could not hold off a talented Bethel (16-1, 8-0) squad in Mishawaka, dropping a 3-0 decision to the Pilots to conclude a five-game winning streak along with the program’s first trip to the MCC Championship match in four years. The loss was Goshen’s first on the road in conference competition this year, as Bethel’s undefeated streak against MCC teams continued. Goshen’s qualification to NAIA Regional competition — the MCC’s top two teams advance — was little solace to head coach Tavi Mounsithiraj on Saturday, as the Leafs’ leader said he fully expected to take home the conference crown.

“This defeat to Bethel College was one of the most disappointing of the season,” Mounsithiraj said. “Our plan was to keep Bethel from scoring as long as possible, and then force them to play our style of soccer. But, they came out from the start and kept that from happening.”

Bethel was able to control the opening tap and make a push downfield, as a Pilot striker took a long shot from just inside the center circle. The ball was nowhere near the Goshen net, but sophomore keeper Craig Welscott elected to retrieve the ball. On his way toward the harmlessly rolling ball, he lost his footing and stumbled. His touch of the ball set up a Bethel corner kick — one of seven on the afternoon for the Pilots — and the host team took full advantage. Bethel’s Alberto Villarreal corralled the boot from the angle and blasted a shot into the back of the net, giving the Pilots a 1-0 lead just a minute into the action.

“That first goal coming so early in the match really messed up what we wanted to do,” Mounsithiraj said. “That kind of shocked us, after working all week on our game plan.”

Nonetheless, Mounsithiraj’s troops were able to collect themselves for the remainder of the half. Goshen was able to keep the game at 1-0 through the intermission, and even had a chance at a tying goal, when MCC Defender of the Year Joel Miller placed a nice header into the box. Bethel was able to clear the ball out of danger, however, keeping the 1-0 lead.

“Before the second half started I told our squad that we are still in the match as long as we don’t make another mistake,” Mounsithiraj said. “We did, and from that point on it was tough.”

Goshen’s error came nine minutes into the second period, when a misplayed ball just outside the Leafs’ goal box resulted in an uncontested pass and shoot opportunity for the Pilots, and Bethel made the most of its opportunity: Pilot forward Josh Noland was there to take the pass for a point-blank look at the Leafs’ net, making it a 2-0 lead with just over 30 minutes remaining.

With 20 minutes to play, Bethel was at it again, this time making the most of a bad bounce. Welscott rushed out from the goal to pick up a loose ball, but the ball got free after an odd touch of the turf. Villareal was there applying pressure and picked up the loose ball for another tap-in goal, making it a 3-0 game.

“After they scored their first goal of the second half, Bethel was in control,” Mounsithiraj said. “We just could not get anything going against a fast and skillful team like Bethel. They made us pay for our mistakes and are worthy to be ranked ninth in the country.”

Mounsithiraj praised both Miller and All-MCC First Team defender James Graber (junior) for putting up a great effort defensively, but also gave Bethel credit for the win.

“I am disappointed that we did not put up a better fight overall and had troubles executing our plan, as we are so much better than to make those mistakes that we made,” Mounsithiraj said. “But it was Bethel that forced us to make those mistakes, and I have to give them a lot of credit for playing so well and getting the 3-0 victory.”

The Leafs must now regroup and focus on making a run at an even bigger target, as Goshen will begin NAIA Region VIII competition Wednesday night in the first stage of the national championship tournament. Goshen will face the winner of Saturday night’s Siena Heights University-Madonna University matchup. Kickoff time and hosting stadium have yet to be determined. The match will be Goshen’s first regional competition since 2000, when the team lost to Aquinas College 1-0 in first round play. Click here to view the most up-to-date schedule for Wednesday’s game time and place.

NOV. 3 — Leafs Headed To MCC Championship Match
Goshen knocks out St. Francis 2-1 in semi-final; #9 Bethel awaits on Saturday

Outnumbered: A St. Francis player has no chance of winning the ball with Goshen’s James Graber (5) and Adam Yoder (4) in the area Wednesday night.

On the brink: Senior Tom Stahly plays keep away during second half action Wednesday night.

Goshen, IN — Statistically speaking, the Goshen College men’s soccer team had every reason to believe it would be competing for the Mid-Central Conference Championship this Saturday afternoon. After a regular-season league record of 5-2-1 gave the Leafs the second seed heading into the MCC Tournament, Goshen was considered the favorite in both its first round and semi-final conference tournament matches.

That still doesn’t make it any less exhilarating.

After defeating Grace College by a 2-0 score Saturday to advance to MCC Semi-Final action, Goshen defeated third-seeded University of St. Francis 2-1 at the Goshen College Soccer Complex Wednesday night, propelling the Leafs into the MCC Championship match against number one seeded and ninth-ranked Bethel College on Saturday. It will be the first time Goshen has competed for an MCC Championship since the 2000 season, while a win at Bethel would give the Leafs their first outright league championship since 1988.

For now, though, Goshen head coach Tavi Mounsithiraj isn’t thinking much about the possibilities against Bethel. Following yet another stellar performance from his club Wednesday night, Mounsithiraj said he would take the rest of the evening to enjoy the win over the Cougars.

“I am so proud of this squad, and everyone that has been a part of Goshen College soccer over the past four years,” the fourth-year head coach said. “We have made so much progress in that time, and it has to do with everyone that’s played here as well as those who are still playing. Tonight was a big night for our program.”

Goshen (14-3-3, 5-2-1) didn’t waste much time in its march to the championship match, as junior Josh Sprunger was able to score within the first minute, setting the tone for the entire evening. The Leafs opened the kick off with a strong push toward the Cougars’ goal, as a nice pass from sophomore Jesse Woodworth gave freshman Tony Janzen a good look at the net. Janzen’s shot ricocheted off the St. Francis keeper, however, and junior Josh Sprunger was on the spot: Without a defender around, Sprunger blasted in the rebound to make it a 1-0 game with just under 44 minutes remaining in the first half.

“I thought we started out playing really good soccer, as was evident with our first few minutes of play,” Mounsithiraj said. “Before the kick off, I told our guys to come out strong and put the pressure on them right away. We were able to do that, and this gave us some confidence and ability to rely on our defensive unit for the rest of the night.”

Mounsithiraj’s squad wasn’t quite through on the offensive end, though, as in the 30th minute Woodworth beat his defender just outside the box and sent a beauty of a pass into the six yard line, where Janzen made sure to beat the keeper on the reception. Janzen calmly controlled Woodworth’s assist and placed it in the lower left corner of the goal, giving his team a 2-0 cushion at halftime and some much-needed breathing room in the most important game of the year to date.

“I knew that USF would come out hard and put a lot of pressure on us to try to get back in the game (in the second period),” Mounsithiraj said. “They did that, and I actually thought they outplayed us for most of the half. Fortunately, we’ve got some of the finest defenders in the league and our team has been playing really well lately, and we were able to maintain the lead.”

MCC Defender of the Year sophomore Joel Miller and All-MCC First-Team junior James Graber led the defensive charge for the Leafs in the second period, although Goshen could not record its 10th shutout of the year: St. Francis’ Michael Bitler was able to break through in the 61st minute, giving the Cougars a 2-1 deficit with 29 minutes remaining. Both teams traded reasonable looks at the others’ net for the remainder — St. Francis outshot Goshen by a nine to seven count and took five corner kicks to Goshen’s two — but the Leafs were able to fend off any more scoring pushes. Sophomore keeper Craig Welscott had a brilliant night in goal, coming up with eight saves, many of which came in traffic on would-be goals for St. Francis.

The win marked the second defeat of the Cougars in just over two weeks, as Goshen defeated St. Francis by a 3-1 score on the Leafs’ senior night Oct. 19. Add to this that starting senior forward Todd Pletcher was out for most of Wednesday’s match with a stomach virus, and Mounsithiraj said he wasn’t sure how his team would respond.

“I wasn’t quite sure what to expect tonight,” Mounsithiraj said. “It’s tough to beat a team twice, let alone in 15 days. I thought that Craig Welscott came up with some big saves in goal for us, especially in the second half. Jesse Woodworth did a nice job for us in the mid field, having a big part of both our goals. We’ll now do our best to prepare for Bethel. It should be a fun match.”

Goshen will travel to the ninth-ranked Pilots field for a 1 p.m. match Saturday afternoon. Pletcher is expected to be back at close to full strength with two days rest. In the teams’ last meeting, Goshen dropped a 4-0 loss to the Pilots at the Goshen College Soccer Complex on Sept. 29 of this year. Bethel advanced to the championship by defeating Taylor University 4-0 Wednesday night. For ticket information to Saturday’s match, call the Bethel College athletic department at (574) 257-3343.

Wednesday night’s win also places Goshen in the NAIA Region VIII Tournament, as the top two teams from the MCC qualify for the national event. It is uncertain who and where Goshen will play, as first round national action begins on Nov. 10. It is the first time since the 2000 season that a Goshen team has qualified for regional play. Check back to this website for tournament scheduling updates as they become known.

OCT. 30 — Goshen Breezes Past Grace To Open Post-Season
Leafs take out Lancers 2-0 to grab first MCC Tournament win since 2000

Goshen, IN — With the Mid-Central Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year (Grace College senior Joe Kateule) and Defensive Player of the Year (Goshen College sophomore Joel Miller) taking the field against one another in MCC Tournament first round action Saturday at the Goshen College Soccer Complex, it was Mother Nature that proved to be the most dominating force: Winds in excess of 30 miles per hour and gusts nearly twice that strong made playing soccer difficult for both squads. In the end, however, it was Miller and company that were too much for the Lancers, taking a 2-0 win to propel Goshen to MCC semi-final action for the first time since the 2000 season, when the Leafs defeated Marian College by a 2-1 overtime score in first round tournament play.

“One of the goals we set for ourselves this season was to finish in the top four of the MCC and host a first-round game,” said Tavi Mounsithiraj, Goshen head coach. “We were able to finish second in the conference and beat Grace today. I can’t say enough for the guys on this team, and how hard they’ve worked to get here. Now we must focus on our next step.”

Goshen (13-3-3, 5-2-1) began the match with the howling winds at its back, making things difficult for the seventh-seeded Lancers in back. It appeared that Grace would weather the first half storm, however, as a scoreless halftime score seemed imminent with just two minutes remaining in the period. Those Lancers’ hopes were dashed by junior All-MCC defender James Graber, however, as Graber took a Jesse Woodworth (sophomore) direct kick and blasted the ball into the back of the net with under two minutes to play in the first half. Woodworth’s kick went directly into the mouth of the goal, and, after bouncing off several players, found Graber at point blank range.

“It was an ugly first half with the wind and neither team got many good, scoring chances,” Mounsithiraj said. “I was hoping to get an early lead having the wind at our backs, but it was just too strong for us to control the ball with any accuracy. We were fortunate to get that goal late. We needed that goal, in my opinion, if we wanted to win the match.”

An equally rough second half ensued, as the winds continued to make ball control difficult for both teams. It appeared as if Grace would get the equalizer goal midway through the second half, however, as Kateule broke through the Goshen defense and had a one-on-one scoring chance with sophomore keeper Craig Welscott. With Kateule firing from point blank range, Welscott was able to make a diving save, pushing the ball out of the goal mouth and keeping the Leafs’ 1-0 lead in tact.

“I thought for sure we were tied when Kateule got through and had his shot,” Mounsithiraj said. “Craig Welscott came up with the save of the season for us.”

The Leafs added insurance at the 75th minute mark, when senior Todd Pletcher received a pass from freshman Tony Janzen inside the box and made a nifty scoring move with defenders on his back. Trapping Janzen’s pass with his chest, Pletcher calmly placed the ball past the Grace keeper to give Goshen a 2-0 lead with just 15 minutes to play. In the windy conditions, Mounsithiraj said he finally felt comfortable. He was right, as the game would end in the 2-0 score.

“I felt so much better after Todd’s goal,” Mounsithiraj said. “Our defense had been playing really well, and I knew we could hold off Grace for the final 15 minutes with a two-goal cushion. Thankfully, we did.”

Goshen avenged several losses to the Lancers with the win, as it was Grace that knocked Goshen out of post-season play last year with a 1-0 win at Winona Lake. Grace also was a big winner the last time it stepped foot on Goshen’s turf, winning a 6-0 blowout on Sept. 30 of last season. Mounsithiraj said that this win made up for both those defeats.

“This was such an important win for our program after not having a post-season win in the past three years,” he said. “What a great result for all of us. I am so proud of how the team has come together, especially this senior class that went 3-16 in their first season as collegians. My hat is off to James Graber, (sophomores) Jared Price, Adam Yoder and Joel Miller for again coming up big for us in the back with our ninth shutout of the year. Joel showed everyone why he’s worthy of the MCC’s Defensive Player of the Year honor. Craig Welscott also played huge with several big saves keeping us ahead.”

Goshen will hope for slightly calmer conditions on Wednesday night, when the team will host third seeded University of St. Francis in MCC quarter-final action. St. Francis defeated sixth-seeded Marian College 3-2 in double overtime to advance to Wednesday’s quarter-final game. Goshen beat the Cougars at the Goshen College Soccer Complex by a 3-1 score on Oct. 19 in the teams’ last meeting. Wednesday’s game time is slated for 7 p.m.

OCT. 29 — Leafs Head Into MCC Tournament With Awards
Miller voted MCC Defensive Player of the Year; Graber and Sprunger follow

Sophomore Joel Miller Junior James Graber Junior Josh Sprunger

Indianapolis, IN — Aside from having the best record (12-3-3) in fourth-year head coach Tavi Mounsithiraj’s career, hosting a Mid-Central Conference first round match for the first time since the 2000 season and finishing second in MCC play with a 5-2-1 league record, the Goshen College men’s soccer team was decorated to an even greater degree Friday.

League officials announced that sophomore Joel Miller was named the MCC’s Defensive Player of the Year, while junior defender James Graber was selected to first-team All-MCC honors and junior forward Josh Sprunger to second-team All-MCC accolades Friday, the first time a Goshen College team had three players recognized by the conference since the 1998 season. Miller’s honor also marks the first time a Goshen College player has been voted a league-best performer since Kerry Escayg was named the MCC’s Player of the Year in 1998.

It all is very deserving and appreciated according to Mounsithiraj, but takes a back seat to the Leafs’ preparation for first round MCC Tournament action against Grace College tomorrow.

“This is obviously a great honor for these three guys, and I know that both they and their teammates really appreciate it,” Mounsithiraj said. “There are a lot of things that I can say about our squad this season in how hard we’ve worked together to make our program a contender in the MCC, but we wouldn’t be where we are without the play of Joel Miller, James Graber and Josh Sprunger. While this is a tremendous accomplishment for both these three players and the rest of their teammates, we can’t lose focus on what is top priority right now in Grace College.”

Miller — a 2003 All-MCC performer as a freshman — made his mark even more known this season in league play, helping the Leafs to a 4-0 conference mark on the road, all of which were shutouts. Miller also helped the Leafs to eight total shutouts on the season, the most any team has compiled under Mounsithiraj. In addition to Milller’s play in stopping the opposition’s scoring, Miller also was credited for four goals and one assist, showing his true versatility and talent.

“It is Joel’s ability to take pride in shutting his opponent down and winning the ball out of the air that makes him the number one choice for MCC Defensive Player of the Year,” Mounsithiraj said. “Joel and James were a big part of our defensive stand this season.”

Graber, who transferred from Manchester College this academic year, scored three goals and notched one assist in addition to his skills in the backfield, making him a threat offensively as well.

“James Graber is one of the toughest defenders in the MCC, and he can join in the attack too,” Mounsithiraj said. “That makes him very valuable.”

Sprunger — arguably one of the hardest working players in the conference — leads the Leafs with eight goals scored and seven assists on the season. His relegation to second team honors shows the depth and talent pool at the forward position in the MCC this year, according to Mounsithiraj.

“Josh has had a fine year for us, and is very skillful with the ball and draws a lot of attention from the opponent,” Mounsithiraj said. “He is very good at creating chances for others, as we would not have scored 43 goals as a team without him. He is definitely one of the best in our conference at what he does, and this is a very tough league.”

Junior Hugo Gonzalez of Bethel College was named the MCC’s Player of the Year, while senior Joe Kateule of Grace College was named the league best offensive player. Bethel head coach Pablo Rodriguez was named to coach of the year honors. For a complete list of all-conference players, click here.

Kateule’s winning of the MCC’s Offensive Player of the Year adds even more to the plot line for tomorrow’s first round game against Grace, as fans will get to see the league’s best defender and offensive player go head to head in post-season action. Grace knocked Goshen out of tournament play last season in Winona Lake, Ind., taking a 1-0 decision. Goshen returned that favor earlier this year, winning 3-0 at the Lancers’ home field on Oct. 5. Game time for tomorrow’s match is slated for 3 p.m.at the Goshen College Soccer Complex.

OCT. 23 — Goshen Beats SAU 1-0 To Finish Second In MCC
Leafs finish regular season by winning last three games; post eighth shutout

Junior Craig Mast Junior Josh Sprunger

Spring Arbor, MI — An unusually warm October afternoon and muddy field set the backdrop for the biggest match of the season for the Goshen College men’s soccer team Saturday, and the Leafs responded: A 1-0 win over host and Mid-Central Conference foe Spring Arbor University gave the team a final regular season record of 12-3-3 and a league mark of 5-2-1, good for a second place finish in conference play and the best overall record since the 1998 season (16-4 overall).

“What a way to finish our regular season,” said Tavi Mounsithiraj, Goshen head coach. “A victory over a very good Spring Arbor team at their place is incredible. For us to go there and win was truly a team effort. The whole team was awesome today.”

Goshen needed the win to capture a second-place finish in the MCC, as Spring Arbor had a 4-3-0 league mark heading into Saturday’s match up with the Leafs. Mounsithiraj’s squad set the tone early, limiting the Cougars to just five shots on goal in the first period while controlling possession for a majority of the period. That possession control paid off in the 37th minute, when junior Josh Sprunger took an indirect kick into Spring Arbor’s box. With the ball trickling toward the endline, junior Craig Mast out-pursued everyone and volleyed the ball into the lower right corner of the Cougars’ net for a 1-0 Goshen lead.

“I thought both teams played a good first half, with several good scoring chances for both teams,” Mounsithiraj said. “SAU’s keeper made several good saves, as did (sophomore) Craig Welscott. He was tough in between the pipes for us today.”

The Leafs were able to limit Spring Arbor to just two shots on goal in the second period, however, with steady play coming from junior James Graber and sophomores Adam Yoder, Jared Price and Joel Miller on the defensive end. On the afternoon, Goshen outshot Spring Arbor by a 13 to seven count while taking five corner kicks to the Cougars’ two. It was the eighth shutout of the season for the Leafs, the most any team has produced under Mounsithiraj (Goshen recorded six shutouts in 2002).

“I put some pressure on our guys at halftime,” Mounsithiraj said. “I told our squad that we needed to go out and play extremely hard because Spring Arbor would come out and put pressure on us and this half would determine where we would finish in the conference. To our guys’ credit, they did a great job. They really stepped up when they needed to and played brilliantly.”

Goshen will now host seventh-seeded Grace College (2-5-1 league record) on Saturday in first round MCC Tournament action. Goshen’s 5-2-1 MCC record was second only to Bethel College’s perfect 8-0 conference mark. The Leafs’ win Saturday pushed them past both Spring Arbor and the University of St. Francis, which each finished with 5-3-0 MCC records.

Goshen will host Grace at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Goshen College Soccer Complex. Tickets are available at the gate only. Cost is $4 for adults and $2 for students.

OCT. 19 — Leafs Finish Regular-Season Home Slate In Style
Goshen knocks off tough St. Francis side 3-1; builds momentum into post-season

Under the lights: Members of the team gather after defeating St. Francis 3-1 at the Goshen College Soccer Complex Tuesday night.

Leafs' night: Senior Todd Pletcher out-duels a Cougar defender for a ball in first half action.

Goshen, IN — In a game chalk full of both statistical and emotional importance, the Goshen College men’s soccer team came up with its best effort Tuesday night, defeating Mid-Central Conference rival University of St. Francis by a 3-1 count. The win keeps Goshen (11-3-3, 4-2-1) in sole possession of third place in the MCC with just one league match remaining, while Tuesday was the final regular-season match that seniors Dan Charles, Todd Pletcher, Tom Stahly, Ben Steininger and Nick Yoder would play at the Goshen College Soccer Complex. Add to all of this that the Leafs were able to dominate the MCC fourth-place Cougars without star junior forward Josh Sprunger for most of the night — lower back strain — and you get one happy Goshen head coach.

“What a nice way to pick up a win for our seniors in our last home match, and on top of that the win keeps us in position to finish in the top four in MCC play,” said Tavi Mounsithiraj, Goshen head coach. “This is a great victory for the team and I am so proud of our seniors and how hard they have worked over the last four years. My hat is off to them.”

After a brief ceremony to recognize the five senior players — all of whom started — a nip and tuck event followed. Both teams came out in aggressive mode, with Goshen notching three shots on goal and St. Francis five shots in the first 12 minutes of action. After twisting his body in an odd fashion, Sprunger asked to come out of the match just 10 minutes in. He did not return.

“Josh has a lower back strain, and is still pretty sore today (Wednesday),” said Bill Kinsey, Goshen College head athletic trainer. “It’s questionable as to whether he’ll play in the next match.”

Even without it’s sparkplug up front, Goshen found ways to score. In the 15th minute the Cougars’ goalkeeper misplayed a ball and sent it directly to Pletcher. Pletcher corralled the ball 35 yards out, and began his dribble toward the goal. Some nifty footwork got him by the St. Francis keeper, and he slowly rolled a ball into the net as a Cougar defender collided with his goalkeeping teammate. Neither team mounted much of an attack for the remainder of the period, and the Leafs had a 1-0 halftime lead.

“I told the team to continue to play hard and be aggressive at halftime,” Mounsithiraj said. “I didn’t think that one goal would do it.”

Mounsithiraj didn’t have to wait long to add to his lead, as freshman Tony Janzen got a through ball just two minutes into the second half that allowed him to go one on one with the Cougar keeper. His score made the game a 2-0 count, and Goshen looked to be in control.

St. Francis wasn’t about to go away quietly, however, as in the 65th minute a breakaway opportunity allowed the Cougars to score a nice goal to come within a goal of tying things. Janzen wasn’t finished either, though, as with 12 minutes remaining the freshman made a smart play: With the St. Francis keeper pushing forward, Janzen simply lobbed what appeared to be a through ball over the tender’s head and into the back of the net for a 3-1 lead. Goshen was able to finish the final 12 minutes with a strong defensive-minded effort, as St. Francis could not get a quality look to finish things off.

“Tony’s last shot was amazing, but the thing that impressed me was his quick thinking and his overall play in relief of Sprunger,” Mounsithiraj said. “Tony had an awesome game for us when we absolutely needed him to.”

Mounsithiraj also credited his defensive unit of junior James Graber and sophomores Adam Yoder, Joel Miller, Jared Price and keeper Craig Welscott for outstanding play.

The Leafs will conclude regular-season MCC play this Saturday, when the team travels to first-year MCC school Spring Arbor University. Match time is slated for 1 p.m.(Indiana time).

OCT. 17 — Goshen Takes Bragging Rights Over Hesston
Sister schools engage in friendly match; Leafs' reserves get 2-1 win in OT

Goshen, IN — For a friendly, exhibition soccer match on a cool October evening, Sunday night’s Goshen College-Hesston College bout sure was taken seriously. An over-flowing crowd packed the Goshen College Soccer Complex to witness the sister institutions go at it, and the crowd was not disappointed: A last-second Leaf goal forced overtime, and Goshen eventually won by a 2-1 score.

“What a beautiful night for soccer between these two schools,” said Tavi Mounsithiraj, Goshen head coach. “This was a good opportunity for us to play our reserves against a very good Hesston College side, and it was a good opportunity for them to play in front of such a big crowd. We treated this match as an exhibition, but a lot was on the line. This was for bragging rights between the two Mennonite schools.”

With Hesston students and alumni comprising over half of the 1,000-plus in attendance — Hesston was in fall break while this weekend was a Goshen College visitation weekend — the game looked as anything but an exhibition. Both squads came out playing intense soccer, with neither team able to score early on despite several good looks.

After a scoreless first half, the offense got even more intense, with the Larks getting a shot at an open Leaf goal but failing to connect. Goshen then returned the favor, drilling a close-in shot off the post which caromed out of danger.

Hesston finally broke into the scoring column at the 82nd minute mark, when the Larks broke through Goshen’s defense on the left side of the field. After a through ball made it to the center of the field, a Hesston forward was able to tap in a shot for a 1-0 lead.

It looked like the Larks would walk away winners in regulation, but Goshen continued to push. With the clock ticking down under a minute, the Leafs’ final push would be enough: Sophomore Atlee Schrock lobbed a ball into the box hoping a teammate would find it. Junior Craig Mast was there. His attempted header into the goal was snubbed when the Hesston keeper collided with him, but sophomore Ashe Abebe was on the spot. He collected the loose ball and pushed it toward the open net, with several Hesston defenders chasing after it. Sophomore Joel Gonzalez was the quickest, however, as he beat the Larks’ defenders to the ball and pushed it into the net. Thirty seconds remained on the clock.

As time expired on the ensuing kick off, the coaches were content to leave the friendly match a tie. That was until the crowd began to chant, “overtime, overtime,” and the coaches knew what had to be done.

And for as long as it took Goshen to score in regulation, it took the Leafs just minutes to finish the game in the extra stanza: Freshman Tony Janzen sent a through ball to sophomore Rueben Yoder, who was taken down in the penalty box. His penalty kick goal sealed the deal for the Leafs, as both teams received a standing ovation from the crowd at the conclusion.

“What a great night for soccer, and what a great night for both teams,” Mounsithiraj said. “We were happy Hesston could make it out, and even happier that so many people came to watch.”

Goshen’s varsity squad will return to action Tuesday, when the team will host Mid-Central Conference rival University of St. Francis in the final regular-season home match of the year. Match time is slated for 7 p.m.

OCT. 16 — Soccer Semantics Doom Leafs Against Marian
Goshen outplays Knights but drop 2-1 affair on frigid afternoon

Undercut: Sophomore Jesse Woodworth alludes a Marian pursuer in first half action Saturday.

Through ball: Junior Josh Sprunger works an open field against Marian.

Goshen, IN — Despite outplaying Marian College in all statistical and intangible categories Saturday afternoon, the Goshen College men’s soccer team did not outplay the Knights in the only category that matters — the score. Marian took a 2-1 Mid-Central Conference match up with the Leafs despite being out-shot (12 to seven), out corner-kicked (seven to one) and outplayed (Goshen controlled possession for most of the game and limited the Knights to just two second half shots on goal) in an upsetting loss for Goshen head coach Tavi Mounsithiraj and his program.

“Soccer is a weird game sometimes,” Mounsithiraj said. “You can outplay your opponent and still not win the match if you don’t finish on scoring chances. I thought we outplayed the Marian side, especially in the second half, but if you don’t score it doesn’t mean anything.”

Both squads were inherently hampered by the day’s weather — stiff winds and biting windchills made controlling the ball difficult, but the game went on. Marian took advantage of a flat Leafs’ start to score in just the 14th minute, after a loose ball in front of Goshen’s net was not booted away by a Leaf defender in time. Fortunately for Mounsithiraj’s team, a direct kick awarded at the 35th minute evened the score: Sophomore Jesse Woodworth tapped the ball to senior Todd Pletcher, who drilled a low line drive into the lower left corner of the net to tie the game at 1-1 heading into the intermission.

“I told the team at halftime that we needed to do a better job of moving the ball and be patient with the attack,” Mounsithiraj said. “We came out a little flat to start the match, but we did a much better job in the second half.”

Goshen (10-3-3, 3-2-1) controlled the second half with certainty, playing on Marian’s half of the field for the majority of the time. Again and again, however, the Leafs could not find the back of the net on scoring opportunities: Pletcher, senior Nick Yoder and junior Josh Sprunger all had great looks at the net, but misplaced shots and tremendous play from Marian’s keeper thwarted all Leafs attacks.

With just nine minutes to play, everything changed: Marian took advantage of a counter-attack and attempted its only two shots on goal of the entire second period. The first ricocheted off of sophomore keeper Craig Welscott’s gloves. The second, off the rebound, went past him.

“This was a tough loss for us because we really needed to win this one at home,” Mounsithiraj said. “We’ll have to rebound from it, though, and hopefully come out with a little chip on our shoulder on Tuesday.”

Goshen will host the University of St. Francis Tuesday night, in the Leafs’ final home match of the season. Goshen’s seniors will be honored prior to kickoff. Match time is slated for 7 p.m.

OCT. 13 — Leafs Put Hammer Down At Indiana Wesleyan
Squad handles early Wildcat push to take big 4-0 MCC win

Senior Dan Charles Senior Todd Pletcher

Marion, IN — Thursday night at Indiana Wesleyan University, the Goshen College men’s soccer team needed a little luck early on in its Mid-Central Conference match up with the Wildcats.

After that, the Leafs’ pure skill more than sufficed.

The host Wildcats couldn’t convert on a pair of point blank looks at Goshen’s goal in the first five minutes, and their misses proved costly — the Leafs then took control of the game, winning by a 4-0 score in an enormous MCC contest.

“Oh how sweet it is to get a win at Indiana Wesleyan,” said Tavi Mounsithiraj, Goshen head coach. “We were a little lucky tonight with IWU missing some opportunities early on, but sometimes that is what you need to win in this conference. I am so pleased for our guys. This was a big win for us.”

Indiana Wesleyan began the contest with a strong push that resulted in a pair of close shots: First, a breakaway opportunity led to a shot from about five yards out that hit the post. (Goshen was able to clear the ball out from further danger on the rebound.) Just minutes later, Wesleyan was again on the attack, this time resulting in a point blank look that was fired directly at sophomore keeper Craig Welscott. His Johnny-on-the-spot save kept the scoreless tie in tact, and Mounsithiraj said he felt fortunate to be in that situation.

“It very easily could have been two-nil with those opportunities (for Wesleyan),” he said. “It could have been a very long night for us if they would have scored on those chances.”

Instead, it was the host Wildcats that would be in for the lengthy evening, as Goshen (10-2-3, 3-1-1) began to pick up its play and control possession. In the 28th minute junior Josh Sprunger took a direct kick from about 25 yards out, and Wesleyan’s keeper could not hold onto the ball. Senior Ben Steininger outhustled everyone around to tap in the loose ball, and the Leafs had a 1-0 lead.

With just 2:30 remaining on the clock in the first half, it was Sprunger at work again, this time taking a direct kick from about 35 yards out. Sprunger blasted an incredible shot over a five-man Wildcat wall that found the back of the net, nearly making his head coach fall to the ground in the process.

“Sprunger’s shot was absolutely amazing,” Mounsithiraj said. “There was little the keeper could do, and the fact that we went into halftime with a two-nil advantage was huge, seeing how it could have been the other way around. At halftime I told our players to continue to play like it was nil-nil, because we couldn’t afford to give them a goal. If we scored, however, we knew the match was over.”

It took Mounsithiraj’s team just six minutes to answer his plead. At the 51st minute, senior Dan Charles made a nice pass to Sprunger who fired a shot from inside the box with a defender on his back. Again, the ball bounced off the Wildcat keeper and senior Todd Pletcher was there for the putback, giving the Leafs a 3-0 cushion.

Even with the advantage, Goshen remained in control. With Mounsithiraj pushing hard for his team to finish the shutout (the team’s seventh of the season), freshman Tony Janzen hit a line drive across the goal with 11 minutes remaining. Again Pletcher was in the right spot, and placed the ball in the back of the net from just inside the post to finish the scoring.

Goshen concluded the night with an 11 to seven advantage in shots on goal. It was the first time since 1998 that Goshen defeated Indiana Wesleyan on the Wildcats’ home field. Goshen’s last trip to Marion resulted in a 5-0 defeat in the 2002 MCC Tournament.

“I thought that Dan Charles did a fine job in the middle of the field and getting an assist on our third goal,” Mounsithiraj said. “Once again our defensive team was outstanding. We need our defense to play well and give our offensive team a chance to make things happen. We worked very well together tonight.”

Goshen will look to continue its league hot streak on Saturday, when the team will host Marian College. Match time is slated for 2 p.m.

OCT. 9 — Hot Huntington Squad Escapes Goshen With 0-0 Tie
Leafs have chances but fail to convert in classic MCC affair

In control: Sophomore Jesse Woodworth dribbles past a Huntington defender Saturday night.

Clearing: Junior James Graber sends a ball deep in first half action against Huntington.

Goshen, IN — Everything went right for the Goshen College men’s soccer team Saturday night save for one, small detail.

The squad forgot to score a goal.

Playing quality soccer against a quality Huntington College side, the Leafs did everything but notch a score Saturday night, concluding Mid-Central Conference action with the Foresters in a double-overtime, scoreless tie. With the deadlock, Goshen enters Wednesday night’s match at Indiana Wesleyan with a 2-1-1 MCC record (9-2-3 overall).

“I thought we played just well enough to get a win from Huntington tonight, but Huntington is a very good team and lately they have been playing really good soccer,” said Tavi Mounsithiraj, Goshen head coach. “I am happy with the result, but playing at home we needed the win.”

The Foresters — which nearly defeated unbeaten and 11th-ranked Bethel College in its last match — came to Goshen playing confident soccer, and it showed early. The Leafs could not mount much of a first half attack until late, when sophomore Joel Miller let a through ball go through to senior Nick Yoder, who blasted a shot just over the crossbar from about six yards away. A collective gasp from the crowd didn’t help the ball lower, and the first half ended in a 0-0 tie.

Goshen turned up its intensity in the second half, as it looked like the Leafs would find the back of the net sooner or later. A dominant possession game gave Goshen many chances with the ball on Huntington’s half of the field — Goshen attempted 10 total shots to Huntington’s seven and took three more corner kicks than the Foresters — but again and again Huntington staved off any Goshen attack.

The Leafs didn’t help themselves much, either, as several quality shots sailed left, right or over the goal. Senior Todd Pletcher seemed bound to make it a 1-0 game on several different occasions late in the second half, but all of his efforts could not find the net.

“I thought we got some really good looks at the goal in the second half but we just couldn’t finish,” Mounsithiraj said. “Both teams played good defense, but we had some shots we simply misplayed.”

Mounsithiraj noted the play of defensive unit junior James Graber, sophomores Joel Miller and Adam Yoder and Jared Price for helping the Leafs secure their sixth shut out of the year. He also credited sophomore Jesse Woodworth for solid play at the midfield position.

“Jesse was outstanding in creating chances for others and making things happen for us in the midfield,” Mounsithiraj said. “We now just have to concentrate on our trip to Marion to face a tough IWU squad next.”

Goshen will travel to Wesleyan on Wednesday. Match time is slated to begin at 7 p.m.

OCT. 7 — Limited Goshen Team Notches 2-2 Tie At Rochester
Leafs rest several key players in game sandwiched by MCC affairs

Senior Ben Steininger Sophomore Joel Miller

Rochester Hills, MI — With a match at Mid-Central Conference foe Grace College on Tuesday and a MCC showdown with Huntington College slated for Saturday, Thursday night’s road trip to USCAA institution Rochester College was not high on the priority list for the Goshen College men’s soccer team. Resting some key players and taking just 14 athletes on the four-hour trip, the Leafs could only manage a 2-2 tie at the end of regulation. Both Goshen head coach Tavi Mounsithiraj and Rochester’s head coach agreed that 90 minutes of soccer would be enough, and the game ended in the deadlock.

“Coming into the match I was not sure how we would respond because we were missing five of our starters and needed to rest others for the rest of the conference schedule,” Mounsithiraj said. “I started some players that have not started all season, and they responded really well.”

Goshen (9-2-2, 2-1) shot out of the gates early, taking a 1-0 lead just three minutes into the match when senior Nick Yoder headed the ball to classmate Ben Steininger from 25 yards out. Steininger then blasted the ball past the Warrior keeper to give his team the advantage.

The host team was able to settle down 22 minutes into the match, when a misplayed ball by the Leafs’ defense allowed Rochester an equalizer goal. Goshen was able to regain possession, and, on a corner kick at the 38th minute, score again. Steininger was able to cross the ball into the box on the play, where sophomore Joel Miller was able to place a shot just inside the post from a very flat angle to give his team a 2-1 lead.

The Leafs were able to control possession for the majority of the second period, but in the 66th minute Rochester gained control of the ball and scored the tying goal. Neither team had much of a good look for the remainder of the game — the teams ended with just seven shots on goal apiece — and Mounsithiraj elected to go home without playing extra soccer.

“In the second half with us only having three subs, we needed to have patience with the ball and maintain possession as much as possible,” Mounsithiraj said. “We did a good job of moving the ball around but somehow Rochester was able to score the equalizer. I was very happy with the result away from home, though. With several key players not playing I think we played really well. (Senior) Dan Charles, (sophomores) Nate Gautche, Atlee Schrock, Andy Horst and Jesse Johnson all did a great job filling in for the missing starters.”

Goshen will return to MCC play Saturday night, when the team will host a very hot Huntington squad. Match time is set for 7 p.m.

OCT. 5 — Leafs Get Revenge Against Grace; Win 3-0
Goshen makes amends for last season's disappointments with MCC victory

Sophomore Joel Miller Freshman Tony Janzen

Winona Lake, IN — After dropping a 6-0 home match to Grace College and being knocked out of the Mid-Central Conference Tournament by the Lancers last season, the Goshen College men’s soccer team had Oct. 5 highlighted on its schedule this season in bold, bright ink.

What a powerful tool memory can be.

Goshen came out with a definite score to settle Tuesday night at Grace’s soccer field, dominating play from the start en route to a 3-0 win over the Lancers. Goshen (9-2-1, 2-1) used a pressing style of soccer that helped to notch goals at the game’s 12th and 25th minute marks, making things difficult for the host Lancers from the outset. After a 2-0 lead forced Grace to push its efforts up the field, Goshen was able to use a stout defense along with a quick counter attack to go up by a 3-0 count.

“We did not forget about what happened last season,” said Tavi Mounsithiraj, Goshen head coach. “Grace beat us 6-0 on our own field, and then they beat us 1-0 in the first round of the conference tournament. There was no question that there was a bitter taste in our mouths. I told the team not to get too emotional, and to just play solid soccer for 90 minutes. We were able to come out hard and put pressure on them right away.”

Goshen got into the scoring column just 12 minutes in when junior Josh Sprunger hit a low liner into the box and sophomore Joel Miller was able to outrun a Lancer defender to get to it. He then placed a solid shot between the legs of the Grace goalkeeper to make the score 1-0. The Leafs then used that momentum to build possession, and scored off a corner kick at the 25th minute. Senior Tom Stahly sent a beautiful cross to junior James Graber, who headed the ball into the net on an athletic play. Goshen kept its 2-0 lead in tact through the intermission, where Mounsithiraj had more instruction for his team.

“I told the squad at halftime that Grace would come out and play hard and our defense needed to step up the intensity,” he said. “We did, and Grace continued to push. That gave us some counter attack opportunities.”

Freshman Tony Janzen was the beneficiary of one of those chances, as in the 63rd minute Stahly chased down a loose ball off the Grace keeper and passed it calmly to Janzen, who slid the ball into an unguarded net to make it a 3-0 game. Goshen’s defense remained stout for the remainder — sophomore Craig Welscott came up with seven saves after missing the Leafs’ last game with a minor contusion — while the unit of Graber, Miller, sophomores Adam Yoder and Jared Price earned Mounsithiraj’s praises.

“Our defense stepped up getting our second consecutive shut out,” Mounsithiraj said. “I thought that (senior) Todd Pletcher and (junior) Josh Sprunger did a fine job up front keeping Grace’s defenders busy all day long. This was such an important win because our main focus is to do well in conference. We are slowly improving each day and each season, and this was a great all around effort for the team and our program.”

Goshen will return to its home field and MCC play this Saturday, when Huntington College visits. Match time is set for 7 p.m. Prior to that league event, Goshen will travel to Rochester College Thursday night. That game is set for 7 p.m.

OCT. 2 — Goshen Blasts Moody Bible, 5-0
Team rebounds for big win before heading back to MCC competition

Goshen, IN — Gorgeous fall weather set the backdrop for alumni weekend at Goshen College, and the men’s soccer team did little to hamper the institution’s activities: Playing in front of a packed house on a cool Saturday afternoon, the Leafs walked over Moody Bible Institute by a 5-0 score.

Goshen (8-2-1, 1-1) looked like a team out to prove a point after a disappointing home loss to Mid-Central Conference rival Bethel College on Wednesday, and the visiting Archers paid the price Saturday afternoon. The Leafs came out from the opening whistle in attack mode, applying hard defensive pressure on Moody Bible which resulted in a dominant possession game. Goshen scored first at the 15th minute mark, when senior Nick Yoder dribbled past several Moody defenders and slipped the ball to junior Nick Loewen, who made an easy tap in goal. Five minutes later it was the Leafs on the attack again, as an indirect free kick from 40 yards out allowed junior Josh Sprunger to send a rocket in front of the Archers’ net where sophomore Joel Miller out leaped everyone to head the ball into the back of the net. Goshen maintained its intensity and took the 2-0 lead into the halftime break.

Little was different in the second period, as again Goshen returned to its aggressive mode. Senior Todd Pletcher was able to come up with back to back goals — in the 55th minute he was taken down in the penalty box and scored on the ensuing penalty kick while minutes later he scored a low goal from just inside the penalty box to give his team a 4-0 lead. Sprunger finished things off in style at the 84th minute, as sophomore Ashe Abebe sent a nice through ball that Sprunger slipped inside the post for the final score of the afternoon. In all, Goshen attempted 12 shots on goal to Moody’s two, all despite missing two starters: Sophomore goalkeeper Craig Welscott was out after being kicked in Wednesday’s match against Bethel, while senior Ben Steininger was out with a pulled hamstring. Senior Tom Stahly got the nod in goal while Abebe filled in for Steininger.

“I was very pleased how we responded after getting beat by Bethel just three days ago,” said Tavi Mounsithiraj, Goshen head coach. “It was a good result for us because we have to go back to MCC play next. The weather was perfect and I was pleased with our play after having two starters out to injury. I thought that Ashe had a very good match for us playing as a starter in the back, and give credit to Joel Miller, (junior) James Graber and sophomore Adam Yoder for getting our third shut out of the season. (Freshman) Matt Yoder also came in and gave us some very good minutes in the midfield. We got to use all of our players in the match, which gave our starters some rest before our big match this week.”

Goshen will travel to MCC rival Grace College for the “big match” on Tuesday. Game time is set for 4 p.m.

SEPT. 29 — Squad Comes Up Flat Against #15 Bethel
Pilots take 4-0 decision to hand Leafs just second loss of season

Goshen, IN — With the stage set for the biggest match of the season at the Goshen College Soccer Complex, the Goshen College men’s soccer team came up empty in a 4-0 loss to 15th-ranked Bethel College Wednesday night. A packed house of over 1,500 spectators watched the visiting Pilots control the first half in impressive fashion, scoring at the fourth, 33rd and 42nd minute marks to take a 3-0 lead into the break and remove the collective rush that the vocal Leafs’ crowd brought to the kick off.

“Tonight was one of those nights that I never thought would happen to us on our home field, but it did,” said Tavi Mounsithiraj, Goshen head coach. “We gave up four goals to a very good Bethel team, one that’s worthy of its national ranking. Yes, we did make some mistakes in the match, but we also need to give credit to Bethel for forcing us to make those mistakes.”

Mounsithiraj said he felt his team was partly at fault for three of the Pilots’ scores, as Bethel tacked on an insurance goal at the 63rd minute of the second period. Goshen (7-2-1, 1-1) came back and played inspired soccer in the second half, but Bethel’s defense was stout: Goshen stayed close statistically — four shots on goal to Bethel’s nine; four corner kicks to Bethel’s seven — but could not find the back of the net in the shutout loss.

“We knew we were going to have our work cut out for us, but this was a great opportunity to play a team like Bethel,” Mounsithiraj said. “I was pleased with the fact that even though the match was out of reach our guys still played hard through the entire 90 minutes. Hopefully we can take some positives from that.”

Goshen will bounce back quickly to its home field, as the Leafs will host Moody Bible Institute on Saturday. Match time is set for 2 p.m.

SEPT. 25 — Leafs Get Hot At Taylor, Beat Trojans 1-0
Goshen beats Trojans for first time in four years to set up enormous Bethel match

Sophomore Adam Yoder Junior James Graber

Upland, IN — With the biggest match of the season looming just four days away — a home match with 15th-ranked Bethel College — the Goshen College men’s soccer team did what all great teams do: It didn’t look past its current opponent. Without a thought about the upcoming Bethel match, the Leafs paid full attention to Mid-Central Conference foe Taylor University Saturday afternoon, defeating the host Trojans by a 1-0 score in the Leafs’ first league match of the year. It was the first time in four seasons that Goshen defeated Taylor, making it the first win over a Trojan squad for four-year head coach Tavi Mounsithiraj.

“Playing away from home for our first conference match against Taylor was not something that we really wanted to do,” Mounsithiraj said. “To get a result like this was awesome. We were able to get a 2-2 draw at our place last year, but we’re not in this for ties. This is such an important victory for us because it was our first MCC match and to go into next Wednesday’s match against Bethel with a win under our belt will give us some confidence.”

Goshen (7-1-1, 1-0) used a solid brand of soccer to clearly dominate the statistical game against Taylor — 13 shots on goal to the Trojans’ four — and used strong possession during the first half to set up the only goal of the contest. The Leafs took a direct kick at the 18th minute mark that bounced in front of Taylor’s goal into the area of sophomore Joel Miller. Miller tapped the ball in the direction of senior Nick Yoder, who calmly blasted a high shot that scraped the underneath side of the crossbar before coming to rest in the back of the net.

“I told the team at halftime that one goal would be enough for us to win,” Mounsithiraj said. “We just needed to go out and play good defense and we would be alright. Taylor put some serious pressure on us, and I thought for sure they would score. But, our defense hung in there for the last 45 minutes and worked really hard to get the shut out for our team.”

Along with Miller, Mounsithiraj noted the play of junior James Graber, sophomores Adam Yoder and Jared Price and freshman Matt Yoder as being key in the back for the Leafs. Sophomore keeper Craig Welscott also had an outstanding afternoon in goal, saving four Taylor attempts that included a point-blank look late in the second period that left the Trojan crowd stunned.

Despite a sunny, humid afternoon and temperatures in the 80’s, Mounsithiraj was able to wear down Taylor with his never-ending bench, as senior Dan Charles, sophomores Joel Gonzalez and Nate Gautche and freshman Tony Janzen all provided key play throughout the match.

“The playing conditions were not ideal for an early afternoon soccer match, but we got great play from a lot of substitutes,” Mounsithiraj said. “We now must go back to work on a plan for Bethel, and hope that this win will give us a little confidence for that match.”

Goshen will host the defending MCC Champions Wednesday night at the Goshen College Soccer Complex. Match time is set for 7 p.m.

SEPT. 21 — Goshen Outlasts Manchester, 3-2
Leafs persist through evenly-matched first half to oust Spartans in the end