LEBANON, Tenn. – The Bethel Wildcats traveled to Lebanon Wednesday having never lost in men's soccer to Cumberland University. Those winning ways continued as the Cats edged the No. 20 Phoenix 4-3. Bethel leads the series dating back to 2006, 9-0. It was the first meeting between the programs since 2012. The Wildcats are 4-0 in Lebanon. Bethel moved to 1-1 on the season while the Phoenix dropped to 0-1.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period behind a goal by Don Abare. Pascal Mohungsi had the assist.
The second period saw both squads explode with a combined six goals. Obare scored again to give Bethel a 2-0 advantage. Mohungsi had another assist. Cumberland scored to cut the Bethel margin to 2-1. Bethel's Michael Nwafor scored on an assist from Obare and the Cats led 3-1. The Phoenix scored on a goal by Tyler Watson to make it 3-2. With just under nine minutes left CU's Sondre Risa evened the match at 3-3. The Cats would not be denied as Bethel's Mohungsi delivered a shot to the right corner from twenty yards out with three minutes left for the game winner.
Cumberland outshot the Wildcats 16-14 but Bethel had an 11-8 advantage in shots on goal. Marco Taaffe recorded five saves in the match.
The Wildcats return to action Friday night hosting Life at 7 p.m. in the Bethel Labor Day Classic. Watch the game on Wildcat Vision at http://www.bethelathletics.com/f/WildcatVision.php
Live stats will be available at http://www.dakstats.com/Websync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10
