Box Score JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven men's soccer team entered Friday's match against Southern States Athletic Conference foe Bethel University (TN) on a nine match winning streak and emerged with number 10 thanks to a 2-1 double overtime decision at H.T. Newell Field. The Blazers, ranked second in the latest NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll, showed a little rust after the bye week, but were able to recover for the win after a slow start.

"It was evident that we haven't played a game in two weeks, but Bethel was a fantastic team, very organized defensively, and caused us a lot of problems," Belhaven Head Coach Brian McMahon said. "I was a little disappointed with our team and how we played early, but getting a win after the break in the middle of the conference season is certainly important. We have some more work to do coming off this break and ultimately I know we'll continue to get better."

The defenses on both sides dominated the first half of play by digging in to protect the nets. Belhaven (11-2-1, 7-0-0 SSAC) and Bethel (7-4-0, 2-4 SSAC) combined for only nine shots in the first 45 minutes. Both clubs had a couple of shots that came close, but nothing slipped past the goalies with Belhaven's Carl Blundell and Bethel's Luke Edgecombe each making two saves.

As play continued into the second half it looked like one goal by either side could potentially be the game winner. The Blazers finally broke through in the 67th minute when sophomore Jermaine Metz ignited the crowd and the sideline with his sixth goal of the season. Metz put on a dribbling display by working the ball past a defender before striking the ball on the right side of the field. The 20 yard shot found the back of the net for a 1-0 Belhaven lead.

The excitement was short lived when the Wildcats answered to knot the contest at 1-1 just over five minutes later. Mohammed Dumbuya crossed a pass through the middle of the field onto the foot of Antonio Pereira who had the open net in front of him. Pereira made the most of his opportunity, tucking the shot into the corner of the goal past Blundell.

At that point, both defenses took over again before Belhaven notched the winning goal in the second overtime. Sophomore Victor France provided the heroics with his third goal of the season and first game winner of the 2013 campaign in the 103rd minute. Senior David Major setup up the shot with a pinpoint crossing pass between a host of Bethel defenders where France awaited for the game winning strike. It was Major's fourth assist of the season.

France led the Blazers in total shots with four and Blundell earned his 10th win of the year in goal thanks to five saves. Pereira was the Wildcats leading shot taker with three and Edgecombe suffered the loss in net with six saves. As a team, Belhaven had a 21-14 advantage in shot attempts.
Belhaven will face another challenge Saturday night when the team hosts 23rd ranked Martin Methodist in another SSAC battle. The Redhawks have only allowed five goals all season going into their Friday match at William Carey University.

"Martin Methodist is a fantastic team as well and they have had some great results on the season," McMahon added. "They are another nationally ranked team and will present another challenge to see where we are at."

Saturday's kickoff is slated for 7:30 PM at H.T. Newell Field.