MISHAWAKA, Ind. – The Grace College men's soccer team came up just short of Crossroads League rival Bethel on Wednesday night, falling 2-1 in double overtime.

The Lancers (7-2-2, 1-1-1 CL) led 1-0 entering the final 25 minutes of regulation. But the Pilots (6-4-1, 3-0 CL) equalized in the second half and found the golden goal winner in the second overtime session.

Bethel opened up the game as the aggressor, firing off four shots in the first eight minutes.

Grace answered with a counter attack and were able to put two shots on the Bethel goalkeeper, but both attempts were handled easily.

The next 15 minutes were uneventful with neither team able to find any sort of sustained offensive pressure.

The Lancers finally scored to break the deadlock in the 39th minute with a goal from Marcelo Talamas. Cody Boerema played a beautiful ball forward to a streaking Talamas, and the junior continued his torrid goalscoring form by blasting a shot into the net for a 1-0 lead.

The Lancers took that lead into the half despite trailing 9-6 in shot attempts. Grace goalkeeper Gonzalo Salo made three saves in the first 45 minutes.

The second half started as a midfield battle as both teams battled for possession. 

The Lancers' defense broke in the 66th minute; a misplayed ball resulted in the Pilots' first goal to level the score.

Grace came within inches of taking back the lead in the 85th minute. Felipe Gruber fired off a hard shot from the top of the box that found the crossbar and bounced high out of play.

The Lancers finished the second half with a corner kick opportunity but were unable to capitalize, instead sending the game to overtime tied at 1-1.

Bethel forced the action early in the overtime period and had a trio of set piece opportunities, but the Lancers easily defended all three.

Ulisses Miranda had the best scoring chance of the first overtime period when he put a shot on goal, but his effort struck the left post and was cleared by the Bethel defense.

The rest of the overtime period was uneventful with neither team able to put a shot on goal.

The Pilots struck quick in the second overtime winning the game 2-1. The game winning goal was headed in off a free kick that just snuck by Salo. 

Bethel was credited with a 20-11 advantage in shot attempts; nine of Grace's 11 shots were on target.

Miranda had three shots on goal to lead all players, and Talamas and Gruber each shot twice.

Grace will be in action again Saturday at 1 p.m. as they travel to Taylor.