Goshen, IN — It was a shocking sight to most everyone not associated with the Goshen College men’s soccer program, and perhaps the best kept secret on campus in the preceding days.

After completing warm-ups and preparing to take on 10th-ranked Bethel College Wednesday night at the Goshen College Soccer Complex— a team Goshen had not beaten since the 1998 season — the Leafs shed their pre-game attire to reveal an unusual garment.

Head coach Tavi Mounsithiraj had decked his team out in brilliant gold jerseys.

“It’s not even close to our school color, but gold is the color the leaders wear,” Mounsithiraj said. “In the Tour De France, gold is held for the leader. I wanted our guys to think of themselves as the leaders of this conference tonight.”

Perhaps inspired by their outerwear — or the nearly 2,000 fans in attendance — Mounsithiraj’s squad was able to become just that in a dramatic 2-1 win over Bethel that triggered a field-storming riot at the match’s conclusion. Goshen (9-4, 3-0) rebounded from an early 1-0 deficit to hand their fellow 2005 MCC Co-Champs a loss with heavy significance — Goshen now controls its own destiny in its run for an outright regular-season league title in 2006.

The win over the Pilots was the first for fifth-year head coach Mounsithiraj, whose teams had given up an average 3.4 goals per game to Bethel prior to Wednesday night.

“This really has been what we were looking forward to since last season,” Mounsithiraj admitted following the contest. “After (the Taylor match) last Saturday, we were excited just to have the opportunity to play against a team that would be such a great test for us. This was such a great win for our seniors, our fans and really everyone on our team. We still have a lot of work to do and have a lot of games left to play, but this was a special win.”

Everything about Wednesday night’s contest reeked of a big-time match up, as even the weather provided a dramatic twist. Stiff winds from the North caused each team to struggle judging the ball’s flight early, and it was Bethel – going against the fierce wind in the first half — that drew first net. A nifty one-two play at the top of Goshen’s 18-yard box was able to free up Bethel’s Arran Patrick for a shot low into the far post, giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage just 14 minutes in.

Trailing for the first time in five games, Goshen did not panic. Sophomore forward Cody Felton was able to beat an offside trap at the game’s 18 minute-mark, dribbling along the end line and firing a shot into the Bethel goal box. The Pilots’ keeper was able to deflect Felton’s blast but the ball ricocheted off a fellow defender and to the feet of junior Tony Janzen, who calmly placed the ball into the back corner of the net to tie the game at 1-1.

“I thought we came out and played really good soccer to start,” Mounsithiraj said. “We got several shots on goal right away but the Bethel keeper was there every time. Bethel picked up their play, but we responded. I told the guys at halftime that we cannot allow them to score any more goals if we were going to win the match. We talked about trying to keep them from scoring no more than one goal all week. Our defensive team responded by going into the second half with a lot of energy.”

Anchored by two-time MCC Defensive Player of the Year Joel Miller (senior), Goshen slowly began to win the battle of possession time in the second half. As the play became even more physical — Leafs’ senior forward Ashe Abebe left the game with a broken nose just minutes into the first half — Mounsithiraj’s defense rose to the occasion. Senior Adam Yoder had perhaps his best outing of his career, consistently challenging bigger players and winning balls that should have gone the other way. Senior Craig Welscott did a splendid job in goal during the second half, making several key saves on wind-aided shot attempts. Mounsithiraj also subbed liberally, a decision that might have given Goshen the extra leg freshness to outlast the Pilots.

“Our backfield of Joel Miller, Jared Price and Rusty Emery was awesome in the second half,” Mounsithiraj said. “Adam Yoder is our quiet leader back there, and day in and day out this guy just gets it done. Period. With both teams going hard, we thought it was important to get guys some rest. We were able to do that by playing a lot of substitutes, and they did a great job while they were in the game. (Senior) Reuben Yoder, (freshman) Nick Good, (sophomore) Raad Qumsieh, (junior) Nate Montiel, (junior) Matt Yoder, (sophomore) David Shenk and Cody Felton all played tremendous games.”

With the clock winding under 10 minutes and the scoreboard still reading 1-1, the intensity grew with each touch of the ball. Continuous Goshen pressure gave the Leafs possession in Bethel’s defending third for much of the second half, but still Goshen was unable to take advantage of several strong runs up front from Janzen.

That all changed with just over six minutes remaining in the contest, as sophomore midfielder Garet Osterloo was able to draw Bethel into surrendering one of Goshen’s five corner kicks on the night. With Mounsithiraj shouting out instructions, Osterloo sent a beautiful, curving ball into the Pilot box above everyone’s head but one.

Mr. Reliable, Joel Miller.

Miller took the cross and whipped his head around violently, sending a rocket into the back of the net that sent the Leafs’ student-body crowd into a state of pandemonium. Miller lifted his gold jersey up, sprinted toward the Goshen bench and slid head first on the turf, being mauled by his teammates as the clock stopped.

Mounsithiraj looked to the sky and knew he was close.

“In the last four seasons, how many times have we seen Joel Miller out-jump everyone and head the ball for a go-ahead goal and eventually a game-winner?” Mounsithiraj asked rhetorically. “We all know it is coming but it is just a matter of when this kid will make you pay. He is an absolutely amazing soccer player.”

Goshen stiffened up its defensive efforts in the final six minutes, and as Felton booted the ball down the sideline as the clock expired, the Goshen fans poured onto the field. Amid the fracas a gold jersey emerged, ready to shake hands with the Bethel players before joining in the celebration.

Again, it was Miller.

“I can’t say enough about Joel as a player or as a person,” Mounsithiraj said. “In four years, I haven’t seen him knock an opponent down without helping that player back up. He’s had an MVP type of season so far, but we still have a lot more to play. Hopefully we can use this win as momentum to continue to compete well for the rest of league play. We will need to continue to play hard both in training and in match play.”

Mounsithiraj and company do get to savor the win in the meantime, anyway, as the team is idle until next Tuesday, when Goshen will travel to Grace College for a 4 p.m. match. The Leafs’ reserves will face a group of Goshen alumni on Saturday in an exhibition match as part of the institution’s alumni weekend. That match is slated for a 2 p.m. start time at the Goshen College Soccer Complex.