Lindsborg, KS - Tigers fall short to Swedes on late goal. 
 
The game started off bright for the Tigers as they were the aggressors, controlling the game in the important spaces. With several promising attacks leading to potential opportunities, it looked like it was only a matter of time before the goal would come. The Tigers looked to be at their attacking best forcing several saves, including a point blank header saved neatly by the GK. 
 
Defensively, there wasn't much in it as the attacking sequences were predictable and didn't bother the line much. If they did get through, there wasn't much in it to trouble Sebas. A couple of half chances but mostly off of Tiger mistakes. As the half ended, Tiger faithful  were left wondering if the missed opportunities would be costly. 
 
Coach Hoxie reactions on the first half. "I enjoyed the start to the game. The first 15 was one way traffic. We forced a couple of saves and had several near misses. There were chances created that didn't show up in the stat sheet. Unfortunately, we didn't take advantage of the situation, which I think would have changed the game dramatically obviously. Give credit where it is due, they weathered the storm and got themselves into the game. But this is all part of the dynamics of a match. Goals change  games…simple as that."
 
The second half was a bit more one sided in terms of possession and clear cut chances. As fatigue set in, the gaps in the Tiger lines began to open up and widen, giving Bethany a clear advantage. It was a difficult grind, one that they enjoy playing, but one that is taxing on the body. Despite that, the Tigers still created the best chance of the game, but the clear breakaway was saved by the GK neatly.
 
The breakthrough would finally come with 10 minutes or so on the clock. A 1v1 situation that Tyler dealt with, but the ball took a deflection to a Swede player. His shot would find pay day, having to go though traffic and find a post in order to beat Sebas Herrera, who moments earlier came up with the save of the game. It was an opportunistic goal but those goals count none the less. The Tigers were still able to possess a threat the final 10 minutes but we're unable to find the equalizer. A tough loss considering how well we played. Hoxie added:
 
"Fatigue was definitely a factor. I commend the players for giving it their all. They did what was asked of them, as they usually do. Despite their goal, we had 2 penalty shouts on Drew that we're not given in the final minutes. One of them a clear red card able offense for last man…could of even gotten him for the cynical kick out at Drews knee too. Oh well…we still had a chance to do something with the set pieces that we wasted, so that's on us to be fair. It's a hard result to take considering how well we played, and I think we deserved something from the match. It's one of those things that happen in soccer…you just got to get it right one time, and you can win a game, and we were almost there several times. But…it's over, time to move on to the next match."
 
The Tigers return home on Wednesday 9/8 where they welcome Tabor College Blue Jays for a 5:30pm kick off.