Nov. 16, 2005

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Pilots of Bethel College (Ind.) netted a goal in the first half and added another in the second to take a first-round 2-0 victory against host Embry-Riddle at the 47th NAIA National Championship being played on the campus of Embry-Riddle.

The Eagles dominated the Pilots offensively, with a 19-5 advantage in shots and a 16-3 advantage in corner kicks. But in the end, it was Bethel (12-6-6) who converted on two of their three shots on frame, thus eliminating the Eagles from the national tournament.

Bethel's first goal came against the run of play. After surviving an Eagle attack that included five corner kicks and four shots, the Pilots countered, but the initial attempt was stopped by the Eagles' defense. The rebound fell to Juan Jose Rio de la Loza, who rifled home a shot from 20 yards out to put the Pilots up 1-0 in the 17th minute.

The Pilots' second goal came with just under 20 minutes remaining in the second half. Once again Bethel scored against the run of play as the ball fell into the path of Alberto Sanchis off an Embry-Riddle header. The Pilots were rewarded for their second long-range shot on frame, as Sanchis drove in the insurance goal to send Bethel into a second-round match-up against top-seed University of Rio Grande (Ohio) at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

The Eagles, whose season came to an end with the loss, completed the 2005 campaign with a 17-2 overall record.

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