Box Score MISHAWAKA, Ind. ---The Bethel Pilots (8-2-1, 2-1), defeated the St. Francis Cougars 1-0 (6-4-1, 0-3) on Morey Field on Wednesday evening. The win follows the National Christian College Athletic Association's Coaches' Poll, which showed that the Pilots are ranked fourth in the nation. 

Previously, the Pilots tied 2-2 with the Cougars in the 2024 season. 

Leena Thomas scored the game-winning goal in the 18th minute of the match, assisted by Ana Hernandez. Thomas now has six goals on the season, and Hernandez's assist marks her first of the 2025 season. 

Last week's NCCAA D1 Women's Soccer Defensive Student Athlete of the Week, Meghan Kiebel, earned another shutout. This was Kiebel's fifth shutout of the 2025 season, and the Senior Goalkeeper totaled three saves. 

Head Coach Jason Freeman wrote, "The players embraced their roles tonight and contributed at a high level toward a team goal to pick up points at home. The sum of the parts in our team is strong. That was one of our best outings this year...Proud of our coaches in preparation and hard work behind the scenes from the support staff to help make it a successful evening, regardless of the result."

Karly Harkness shared, "Good conference win tonight! Our team devotional before the game was about playing with joy, and I think we exemplified that in our performance. I'm looking forward to the next one!" 

That next Crossroads League game will take place on Saturday, Oct. 4th on Morey Field, as Bethel faces the Goshen College Maple Leafs. Kickoff is set for 4 PM, and the theme for the match is Alumni/Summit Soccer Day. 

For more information about Bethel Pilots Athletics, check out bupilots.com or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or X by searching @bupilots or #TheRightWayToPlay.