Men's Soccer

The 2009 Bethel College men’s soccer program as already accomplished a great deal so far this season. Heading into the Mid-Central College Conference Tournament, the Pilots are ranked No. 9 in the NAIA, winners of back to back MCC Championships, and sport an undefeated 15-0-1 record. But when you take a closer look at the Pilots, you will see that this team has accomplished much more than dominance on the field.

 

The story of this championship season starts back in February. The Pilots were coming off a regular season and conference tournament championship. Their tournament run fell short in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round with a loss to eventual national runner up Rio Grande. Shortly after the loss to Rio Grande it was announced that former coach Greg Gidman would not be returning to lead the Pilots in 2009. Suddenly a program which seemed to be returning to its past dominance was left with an uncertain future.

 

That uncertainty quickly changed to optimism when it was announced in February that Thiago Pinto would be returning to his alma mater to lead the Pilots. Pinto appeared in four NAIA National Tournaments as a player and was a key member of Bethel’s tournament teams from 2002-2005. It wasn’t just Pinto’s soccer prowess that created the atmosphere of hope, however, it was his commitment to build a program through integrity and team unity.   Off the field, Thiago embodies all that Bethel College represents. He is the Co-Founder and Director of Hope Soccer for Christ, an organization that proclaims the Gospel and brings hope through the environment of soccer. 

 

“Strong support and leadership from other coaches and Mark Lantz, our AD, as well as an excellent group of upper classmen on the team has been crucial for the transition into a new philosophy and system of play,” said Coach Pinto.

 

With Coach Pinto firmly in place as the new leader of a veteran soccer team, the Pilots began the process of uniting new players with veterans. To this end, the Pilots spent a portion of their August preseason camp at a retreat center in Michigan. This diverse group of players which represent eleven different countries spent the hot summer days immersed in not only physical activities but also team building activities which were designed to build the group’s sense of togetherness. During this time, the players came to a deeper understanding of why they play soccer and what they hope to accomplish during the 2009 season. It was at this preseason camp that players learned about playing for others to accomplish team goals.

 

“We had an excellent preseason and I knew in order for this group to be successful both on and off the field we had to find our purpose beyond just winning,” remarked Pinto. “The group bonded and decided to pursue excellence through an unconditional commitment to the game, one another, and Christ.   

 

Preseason camp quickly ran into the approaching start of the season and the Pilots were full of anticipation for the upcoming season. Despite high expectations among the Bethel faithful and a 2008 National Championship appearance under their belt, the Pilots were noticeably absent from the preseason top 25 poll. 

 

Regardless of how they were ranked, a new unconditional commitment by the Pilots helped get the 2009 season off to an excellent start with an opening day tie against No. 20 ranked Madonna University and then four consecutive wins including a 2-0 shutout of No. 14 Hannibal-LaGrange College. Bethel was off to a flying start and was on a mission to prove they belonged among the nation’s elite when the season took a strange turn during a match with Judson University and their head coach Steve Burke at the Waterford Estates Fall Classic. 

 

The match with Judson ended abruptly with 32:10 remaining in the second half and Bethel leading 3-0. Bethel looked very good from the start scoring three goals on the night against a powerful and well respected Judson squad.

 

Things began to unfold in the second half when a stoppage of play occurred and it was determined that the center official could no longer continue to officiate the game. The two remaining officials appeared confident and ready to continue playing the game. However, Judson coach and NAIA all-time wins leader Steve Burke refused to bring his team back out onto the pitch and play the game with a two man officiating crew.

 

With Judson‘s refusal to continue playing the game there was no choice but to stop at that point despite the fact that NCAA rules which govern NAIA soccer allow for a two man crew to finish the game if one of the officials is unable to continue.

 

To Bethel’s disappointment, the match was later declared a no contest which meant the Pilots were left with no result for their hard work and excellent performance against one of the nations most recognized programs. 

 

Mark Lantz, Director of Athletics at Bethel College stated, “The Judson game was a very bad situation and it has been a very difficult, frustrating, and sad for the Bethel coaches and players.  It is very hard to see the team exhibit such a dominating performance, only to have a technicality snatch victory from their grasp.  We do not agree with this decision and believe that it is unfair. However, we are using this opportunity to teach our players how to respond when things do not turn out the way you think they should.  It is time to move on and get better by persevering through adversity.”

 

Despite the disappointment of the decision, the team did use it as motivation and proceeded to reel off five more victories in row heading into a crucial conference match with Spring Arbor University.

 

The match with the Cougars proved to be another turning point in a season full of turning points. For the first time all season the Pilots found themselves staring at an almost certain loss. After a series of cards along with two goals from Spring Arbor, Bethel found themselves one goal and two men down going into the locker room at half time. 

 

After an early second half goal by Spring Arbor to take a two goal advantage, the undermanned Pilots took over the game scoring five unanswered goals. Jorge Marquez, Daniel Moyo, Romulo Nobrega, and Arron Patrick all scored for Bethel in the second half. Nobrega and Patrick both finished the game with two goals and two assists. 

 

“The game was like something you see in movies,” said Coach Pinto.  “We had two players dismissed from the game in the first half and after being down by two goals in the second half we came back to score five goals to win the game! The outcome just showed what kind of determination was on this team.”

 

Once again using momentum from a huge victory, the Pilots reeled off five more victories to capture their first undefeated regular season and back to back MCC Championships.

“It has been an exciting season,” said Pinto. “I am proud of how this team has handled both adversity and success. We have had to overcome some unusual adversities this year and I expect there will be more of the same come postseason.”

 

For their efforts and preservation on and off the field, the Pilots were recognized by their fellow MCC coaches at the end of the year meeting. Along with MCC Coach of the Year honors for Coach Pinto, the Pilots also swept the Player of the Year awards as Arron Patrick was named MCC Player of the Year, Romulo Nobrega was named MCC Offensive Player of the Year, and Humberto Trejo was named the MCC Defensive Player of the Year. 

 

Patrick sparked the Bethel attack with his ball control and precision passing while finishing the regular season second on the team in scoring with 16 points off of four goals and eight assists. Nobrega was the offensive catalyst as he led the Pilots in scoring with 16 goals and two assists while Trejo was the leader of a defensive unit that recorded five shutouts on the season including the final two games of the regular season.

 

In addition to Patrick, Nobrega, and Trejo; Arran Horton became the fourth member of the Pilots to be named First Team MCC All-Conference. Second Team MCC All-Conference members include: Joao Couto, Ethan Reinchenbach, Zach Ganzberg, Jorge Marquez, and Daniel Moyo.

 

“I’m so proud of all of our guys this year,” said Pinto. “All the players listed on the all-conference team would have never received such awards if it was not for the commitment and character of every member of this team.  Again, the success of the team is due to the contribution of every one.”

 

Despite the many accolades along with the highs and lows throughout this season, the Pilots have been able to keep it all in perspective as they play for Jesus Christ, their coaching staff, and one another. With Saturday’s opening match of the MCC Tournament just around the corner, the Pilots now have their sights on an MCC and NAIA tournament run. Led by a solid group of upper classmen, uncommon team unity, and a wealth of experience from the 2009 regular season, the Pilots are certain to accomplish even more than they can imagine.