Nov. 17, 2005

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Two deflected shots off Bethel College (Ind.) defenders helped top-seed University of Rio Grande (Ohio) eliminate No. 16-seed Bethel 3-1 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the 47th Annual NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship Thursday night at host Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Soccer Stadium.

Rio Grande's Paul Nicholson put the Redmen on the board just 1:52 into the match when his shot deflected off a Bethel defender and caught goalkeeper Matt Carroll off guard as he was hedging to his right to stop the shot, but then deflected to his left leaving him helpless as he watched it go by.

Alberto Sanchis evened the game with his eighth marker of the season when Raul Barillas served a quick through ball to a streaking Sanchis just behind the Redmen defense and struck a bender past goalkeeper Andy Moore at the 7:12 mark.

The Redmen regained the lead when Ryan Baxter dropped a pass back to Euan Purcell who struck a ball that was partially deflected off a Bethel (12-7-6) defender and found the left side of the net with Carroll handcuffed once again. 

With 4:14 remaining, Rio Grande's Moore made a strong save on a Hugo Gonzalez shot, inspiring the Redmen offense, which capitalized just over a minute later. Frank Brown converted his fifth goal of the year on a header off a cross from Guy Heywood to close out the victory.

Rio Grande (Ohio) faces the winner of the No. 8-seed Park (Mo.)/No. 9-seed Hastings match in the quarterfinals on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Box Score