MEN’S SOCCER

Jake Erlandson struck again, this time with just under three minutes left in OT on a penalty kick, to lift the HU men’s soccer team to a 2-1 road win over Bethel University (6-5-1, 3-1) under the lights at Morey Field.

Erlandson is the best of the best and reiterated that again Saturday night with his golden goal. The junior defender entered the evening ranked No. 1 in the NAIA in game-winning goals with five. After tonight, he claims six while his total goals on the season stands at seven.

The W is Huntington’s third straight league win and pushes them at the top of the standings, tied with #12 Spring Arbor, with a 3-0-1 Crossroads League record. HU’s overall record is 9-2-2.

On paper, the Foresters dominated the opening 45 minutes, generating ten shots to their hosts’ four, but unfortunately the scoreboard indicated otherwise. Seventeen seconds before intermission, Jose Barquin struck for back netting to send the Pilots into intermission holding a 1-0 advantage.

Bethel’s lead stood until the 80th minute when Caleb Sexton did what he does best, serving a ball into the box on a restart, for the easy tap-in by Luke Unger. Unger has scored four goals this season while Sexton has handed out five dimes.

The deadlock remained through regulation to force the extra period where Noah Fleming got taken down in the box to set the stage for Erlandson’s game-ending heroics.

“We gave tremendous effort tonight,” said Coach Lawson. “We offered exciting attack-minded soccer with a willingness to put in a shift on the defensive side. I’m proud of the boys – this was a well-deserved win!”

Huntington doubled up their hosts in shots taken, 20-10, and owned a slight advantage in corner kicks 5-4. Gabe Greenfield earned the win in frame. The junior keeper finished with five saves on the night.

Lawson’s crew returns to King Stadium on Wednesday to host Saint Francis at 4:00 p.m.