MISHAWAKA, Ind. – The No. 13 MACU men's soccer team opened the 2024 campaign with a high-quality result, battling No. 6 Bethel, the 2022 NAIA National Champions, to a 1-1 draw at Morey Field on Thursday night.

SCORING SUMMARY

• 2nd Half – MACU – 45:26 – Goal: Enzo Nogue (1); Assist: Jair Estrada – MACU 1, Bethel 0
• 2nd Half – Bethel – 58:00 – Goal: Diego Arrieta (1); Assist: Miguel Martins – MACU 1, Bethel 1

MATCH SUMMARY

• First Half
  • Bethel created the first scoring chance of the game with a free kick just outside the 18-yard box in the fifth minute. Sami Charaf Amal took the 20-yard shot towards the right side, but it pinged off the post before being cleared away.
  • The Pilots had another opportunity two minutes later when Thiago Los Santos attempted a long shot from the left side towards the left post. The shot lacked power, allowing MACU goalkeeper Claudio Fuentealba to make an easy save.
  • Both teams settled defensively over the next 30 minutes, with no shots on goal until BU's Andres Gonzalez Mata fired a deep shot well wide left of goal in the 36th minute.
  • Bethel had another chance just 30 seconds later when Amal attempted a 23-yard shot from the right side towards the right post, but Fuentealba made a diving stop.
  • A giveaway in midfield by the Evangels allowed Mata to break one-on-one and shoot from 30 yards out towards the right post, but his shot went wide right, keeping the score 0-0.
  • MACU's first shot attempt came in the 42nd minute when Edoardo Salmaso's free kick from the right side found Sebastian Rebolledo just outside the box. However, Rebolledo's 26-yard attempt sailed high.
  • The Evangels had another opportunity two minutes later when Jimmy Cabrera received a back pass on the left side and lofted a 35-yard shot toward goal, but it sailed just high and both teams went into halftime with a scoreless draw.
• Second Half
  • It didn't take long for the Evangels to strike in the second half. Jair Estrada found Enzo Nogue with a deep cross. Nogue beat a double team and dribbled to the right side of the box, slipping a 10-yard grounder toward the left post to make it 1-0.
  • Bethel equalized in the 58th minute when a free kick from the left side bounced around in the box. Diego Arrieta made a low diving header from six yards out towards the right post off a Miguel Martins header, drawing the game even at 1-1.
  • In the 62nd minute, Nogue had a chance for a brace with a free kick from 30 yards out on the right side, but BU goalkeeper Mathis Neuhaus punched it away, keeping the score level at 1-1.
  • MACU put another shot on target in the 69th minute when Federico Palacios split a double team on the right side of the box, but his attempt went straight into Neuhaus's hands.
  • Later in the 69th minute, a MACU tackle and back pass to Mario Garcia set up another shot from 24 yards out on the left side, but Garcia's low-liner towards the left post was easily saved by Neuhaus.
  • With just over four minutes remaining, Bethel put another shot on target from the left side off a slight deflection, but Jovaunn Ramos's 8-yard shot was stopped by Fuentealba.
  • MACU attempted a final charge in the last minute with a pair of corner kicks, but the Pilots prevented a potential game-winner as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

MATCH NOTES

• Bethel out-shot the Evangels 12-6, but MACU had a slight edge in shots on goal, 6-5.
• The first-ever meeting between these powerhouse programs ended in a draw. By securing this result, the Evangels improved to 2-0-3 against teams ranked in the NAIA Top 25 over the past two seasons.
• Senior midfielder Enzo Nogue's goal in the 46th minute was his second career goal, while sophomore right back Jair Estrada's assist is his went down as the third in his career.
• Senior goalkeeper Claudio Fuentealba wrapped up the contest with three saves and conceded just one goal for a .750 save percentage.
• With this result, Mid-America Christian remained undefeated in its last eight season openers dating back to the 2017 season.

COACH AARON HOXIE'S ANALYSIS

• "It was a decent start to the season. That was a very good Bethel team, and I believe one of the best in the nation. They will be a problem for other teams; my compliments to them. They were gracious hosts."
• "I was disappointed to give up the equalizer after we took the early lead in the second half. That was a soft goal to concede. I'd rather be carved open by a bit of sophistication than give up a weak set piece. Unfortunately, that's how the game goes sometimes."
• "Credit to Bethel; they took us out of what we wanted to do in the attacking third. We had to adjust at halftime and became instantly more competitive. The boys executed the change almost to perfection."
• "Overall, I was very proud of our team. The work rate, running, intensity and desire were on full display tonight. I'm most pleased that we played and competed as a team. When it's 11 versus 11, you can't be divided. The boys really represented us to the highest standards."

UP NEXT

• Mid-America Christian will face another strong challenge on Saturday as the Evangels conclude their Indiana road trip in Winona Lake against No. 7 Grace. Kickoff is slated for noon (1 p.m. EST) at 1st Source Bank Field.