BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The Bethel University Wildcats battled Olivet Nazarene to a scoreless first half but surrendered four second-half goals in a 4-0 loss Thursday evening.
Bethel's defense held firm throughout the opening 45 minutes despite being outshot 7-2. The Wildcats earned three corner kicks in the first half, while Olivet Nazarene did not record one.
The Tigers broke the scoreless tie in the 53rd minute when Yaw Frimpong found the back of the net. Atjon Thaqi extended the lead at the 57:46 mark before Frimpong scored his second goal of the match less than three minutes later. Berkem Kurt completed the scoring in the 69th minute.
Olivet Nazarene finished with a 19-6 advantage in shots and placed eight attempts on goal. Bethel registered two shots on goal, with Luiz Antonio Costa Lima and Yao Guy-Yoan Cyrill accounting for those attempts. Serzhan Aitzhanov led the Wildcats with two shots.
Dusan Vasiljevic recorded four saves in goal for Bethel.
The Wildcats held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks. Olivet Nazarene committed 14 fouls, while Bethel was whistled for 13.
Bethel returns home to face Spartanburg Methodist on Monday, August 24. Action begins at 7 p.m.
