Bruins Come Back, Claim Sectional Title

NOMINATE FOR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

By Tony Miller
Bleeding Bruin Blue News Editor

LAKEVILLE, Ind. — Bethany won its third sectional championship in the last six years tonight, coming back from an early 1-0 deficit to defeat Mishawaka Marian 3-1 at Newton Park. Femi Hollinger-Janzen scored twice for Bethany, assisted once by Drew Sylvester, with Andrew Snyder providing the final tally  in the 74th minute. Marian struck first, with Julian Letizia scoring from a mass of bodies in the penalty area after 16:18 of the first half.

After Hollinger-Janzen's first goal, the game went to halftime tied at 1-1. The first half saw both teams commit six fouls apiece and Bethany outshoot Marian 4-3. The second half was not nearly so even, as Bethany out-cornered Marian 4-0 and had a 3-0 advantage in shots on goal after the intermission. But the game remained tied until Hollinger-Janzen's second goal, when the senior took a pass from Drew Sylvester and dribbled through a tiring Knight defense for the go-ahead score with 12:15 to play. Insurance came in the form of Snyder's strike from in front of the right goalpost six minutes later.

Bethany tied a school record with 15 wins on the season; the 15-3-1 Bruins, ranked third in the Indiana Soccer Coaches Association class 1A poll, will look to break the record Thursday night when they go back to Newton Park for a regional game with 8-8-1 Boone Grove. That game is set for approximately 7 p.m., after a 5 p.m. semifinal between 15-3, ninth-ranked Andrean and 15-4  Wheeler. The regional final would be 7 p.m. next Saturday.

Bethany 3, Mishawaka Marian 1

• M: Julian Letizia (17')
• B: Femi Hollinger-Janzen (Drew Sylvester) (38')
• B: Hollinger-Janzen (Nate Nussbaum) (68')
• B: Andrew Snyder (Caleb Morris) (74')

Shots on goal — Bethany 7, Marian 3. Saves — Bethany: Jeff Yoder 2; Marian: Connor Camp 4. Corner kicks — Bethany 9, Marian 3. Fouls — Bethany 15, Marian 13. Referee — Kevin Baumgartner. Linesmen — Oscar Sixtos, Cesar Mercado.

Q Min Kim of the Bethany boys soccer team holds the trophy after the Bruins won the sectional championship Saturday night at Newton Park. (Photo: Tony Miller/Bleeding Bruin Blue)