Hillsboro, Kan. – The Bethany College Swedes Men’s Soccer team took the field on a chilly Wednesday evening against Tabor College, with kickoff slightly delayed to 7:40 p.m. Despite the cold temperatures, the Swedes delivered one of their best performances of the season, showing intensity, discipline, and unity in their final road match of the year.
From the opening whistle, Bethany looked energized and focused. Within the first five minutes, the Swedes nearly struck first when a corner kick from the right side found the head of Steven McQueen, whose effort rattled off the post. The early warning set the tone for an entertaining first half, with both teams trading attacks and creating chances.
In the 25th minute, Bethany’s persistence paid off. After a brilliant individual play by Steven McQueen, who beat two defenders and slipped a perfectly timed through ball, Emmanuel Dukuly used his pace to outrun the backline and finish calmly past the goalkeeper, giving the Swedes a well-deserved 1–0 lead. It was the first time this season that Bethany struck first in a conference match, reflecting the team’s growing confidence and maturity.
Tabor responded with increased pressure and eventually found the equalizer in the 35th minute through a play from the left side. The teams went into halftime level at 1–1, but the Swedes left the field with heads held high after what was arguably their best first half of the entire season.
In the second half, the Bluejays came out stronger and began to dominate possession. Bethany defended well and looked dangerous on the counterattack, but an error in buildup around the 70th minute allowed Tabor to take the lead 2–1. As the Swedes pushed numbers forward in search of an equalizer, Tabor capitalized late with two quick goals to seal the 4–1 scoreline — a result that didn’t fully reflect how competitive the match truly was.
Despite the loss, the Swedes displayed real progress, effort, and character throughout the match. With a roster made up mostly of freshmen and sophomores competing against upperclassmen-heavy lineups, this young Bethany side continues to show encouraging signs for the future.
Up Next…
The Swedes return home for Senior Night on Saturday, hosting Southwestern College at 7:30 p.m. at Coach Ted Kessinger Family Stadium in the final match of the 2025 season.
