The Dordt University men's soccer team mounted a valiant second-half comeback but ultimately fell 2-1 to Hastings in a hard-fought GPAC matchup played under the lights at Lloyd Wilson Field in Hastings, Neb.
Hastings (2-2-2 GPAC, 6-3-4 overall) struck early, netting two goals in the first half courtesy of forward Tim Berger, who capitalized on assists from Wade McWhorter in both the 19th and 30th minutes. Despite a strong defensive effort from Dordt goalkeeper
Shad Jaeger, who recorded six saves on the night, the Defenders found themselves trailing 2-0 at halftime.
Dordt (1-3-2 GPAC, 4-5-4 overall) responded with renewed aggressiveness in the second half, outshooting Hastings 11-5 and narrowing the deficit in the 70th minute when
Enzo Lira de Paula found the back of the net. The goal marked Lira de Paula's first of the season and his fourth point, which gave the Defenders a much-needed boost.
The Defenders continued to press for the equalizer, with
Levi Jaeger and
Tate Hansen each registering shots on goal, but Hastings goalkeeper Ethan Watkins stopped both shots, finishing with two saves to preserve the Broncos' lead.
By the Numbers:
- Dordt totaled 17 shots compared to 13 by the Broncos
- the Defenders had three shots on-goal; Hastings compiled eight
- Tomas Estrada, Tate Hansen and Lira de Paula all had one shot on-goal
- Shad Jaeger (3-4-3) made six saves
- Jaeger, Julian Janssen, Levi Jaeger and Anton Forsch played the full 90 minutes
- Wade McWhorter led Hastings with three shots on-goal and had two assists
- Berger made the most of his two shots on-goal, scoring both Hastings goals
- Ethan Watkins made two saves
Defender Notes:
- Dordt has given up two goals or less in all but one match this season (vs St.Ambrose)
- the Defenders are tied with Doane for seventh place in the current GPAC standings with five points
- Lira de Paula is the 12th different player to score a goal this season
- Lira de Paula is tied with Tyson Reitsma for fifth place with five points
- the six saves by Jaeger was the second highest of the season (8 vs Bellevue)
Up Next:
- Dordt will host Briar Cliff on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the Defender Soccer Complex at 5pm
