Goshen, IN — It was an uphill battle for the Goshen College women’s soccer team Tuesday night, as the squad dropped a 3-0 decision to cross town rival Bethel College at the Goshen College Soccer Complex.

Bethel got off to a tremendous start in scoring a pair of goals in the match’s first 26 minutes, making a comeback difficult for the host Leafs.

“Bethel is a quality team with many skilled players,” said Thavisith Mounsithiraj, Goshen head coach. “I have nothing but praise for our overall effort tonight. We made a few key mistakes on our defending third of the field when their defenders started attacking in the first half. We weren’t picking them up quick enough. We talked about it at half time and I thought we did a much better job of defending them in the second half.”

The Pilots’ quickness in the center of the field was apparent from the outset, as Goshen (4-7, 1-3) had a difficult time containing. Bethel was the beneficiary of a blatantly blown call for its first score, however, as the Pilots Amber Spencer redirected a ball that was clearly out of bounds to send a cross to teammate Lisa Franke who headed the ball past sophomore keeper Emmy Gibson for a 1-0 lead just 16 minutes into the contest.

Franke was at it again in the 26th minute, scoring off of a Laura Franke assist for a 2-0 lead and forcing Mounsithiraj’s squad into a serious game of catch-up.

“(Bethel’s) JoBette Nabarro controls the midfield very well, and we had a hard time shutting her down early on,” Mounsithiraj said. “Their speed was overwhelming to us at the start of the game.”

Goshen adjusted nicely at halftime, taking more control of the ball and physically matching Bethel’s rugged style of play. Mounsithiraj noted the play of both Gibson in goal — eight saves on the night — and sophomore Amy Clem in the backfield for improved play in the latter stages of the game.

“Emmy had a great game in goal coming up with several great saves,” Mounsithiraj said. “Bethel had some really good looks that she had to fully extend to stop. Amy Clem consistently challenged bigger players and won balls out of the air. She continues to be our most aggressive player and never backs down from any challenge thrown her way.”

Bethel tacked on a moot goal late in the contest, as Goshen’s effort to push up for a score led to some confusion in its own 18-yard box at the 81st minute. A cluster of players helped an initial Pilot shot to ricochet off of several feet, only to find Bethel’s Danielle Phipps’ right foot. Gibson was shielded from view was Phipps shot the ball, placing it in the upper left hand corner of the net for the final score.

Goshen recorded six shots on goal to Bethel’s 11, but could only manage one corner kick to the Pilots’ six. The Mid-Central Conference loss was the first of the year with a final score of something other than 1-0.

“We got beat by a very good team tonight, but we never gave up,” Mounsithiraj said. “I can see the ladies trying to do the things I want them to do. Now we just need to execute and be more consistent with that. We have a couple of tough conference matches coming up. We have a very tough MCC schedule ahead of us yet. It is going to take more than just effort in the coming weeks. It will take mental toughness and complete focus to compete.”

The Leafs will first step away from league play, as the team hosts Manchester College Thursday evening. That game is set to begin at 7 p.m.