INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian men's soccer team dropped a tough 1-0 loss to No. 10 Bethel on Saturday afternoon.

The first eight minutes were fairly even with not much action happening, before Bethel scored the game's first goal at the 9:16 mark to take the early 1-0 lead. Marian had quite a few opportunities to even the score in the first half, taking four shots to Bethel's three and leading in corner kicks with six. 

After the Pilot goal, the Knights tried to respond as they controlled possession the remainder of the half. Agon Hoxha fired off a header that then led to a pair of corner kicks, but were unable to execute on their looks. Marian found another pair of good looks in the 44th minute, as Kelton Hooker booted one just high and Gerald Ramirez did the same off a header attempt.

Despite the chances generated by Marian's crisp passes throughout the first 45 minute, the host trailed 1-0 at the break.

Both teams came out on the attack to start the second half, with the ball moving down the pitch evenly. The Knights got their first look of the half behind a Hoxha header before the Pilots tried to add to their lead with a shot that ended blocked. Marian and Bethel continued to share blows, while the Knights became the aggressors at the start of the 69th minute with three shots coming on frame. However, Jayden Francis, Gerald Ramirez, and Romaric Berneron's shots were denied by the Bethel keeper. 

Although a fairly even match through the full 90 minutes, the visiting Pilots left with the 1-0 victory. In Marian's nine shots, four were on goal with Hoxha leading with three attempts. Ramirez had two shots while Alb, Kelton Hooker, and Francis each added one. Juan Torres record two saves and a goal in his 90 minutes. 

Marian will be back at St. Vincent Field Tuesday, October 17 to host Georgetown College (Ky.) at 1 p.m. in a non-conference match.
 

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