STERLING, Kan. — Sterling defeated Bethany 6-2 on Wednesday, Sept. 16 their KCAC conference opener. The Warriors scored four times in the first half and added two more after halftime, while Bethany’s scoring came in the second half. The Warriors finished with 21 shots, including 14 on goal, and their goalkeeper was credited with 12 saves.
Jose Pacheco put the Warriors in front at 4:20 off Michael Kyalo‘s assist, and the Warriors built that start into a 4-0 halftime lead. Sterling kept pressing with early chances from Christopher Jimenez and Esteban Ordoñez, while Cassidy Kelly answered the Swedes’ first shot on goal with a save. Jimenez scored in the 14th minute, and Kyalo followed in the 16th off Pacheco’s assist to push the Warriors ahead 3-0. After Kelly saved another Bethany attempt, Medupe Sithole finished from Jack Nickson at 23:05 for the Warriors’ fourth goal. The Swedes created several looks later in the half, including a shot that Ordoñez stopped for a defensive save, but the Warriors continued to generate attempts and went into halftime ahead 4-0.
Sterling matched Bethany 2-2 in the second half while protecting their advantage, getting goals from Erick Camarillo and Kyalo to finish a 6-2 win. Camarillo scored at 49:15 to make it 5-0 before Bethany answered with goals in the 54th and 57th minutes to cut the score to 5-2. The Warriors absorbed a busy Swedes stretch from 63:55 to 70:03, with Kelly making saves on several attempts while the score stayed 5-2. The Warriors also created chances during that span, including a Nickson corner and shots from Camarillo, Sithole and Jimenez, before Kyalo scored at 76:40 with assists credited to Kelly in the goal. After Kelly received a red card in the 80th minute, the Warriors kept the Swedes scoreless the rest of the way and closed out the 6-2 final.
Kyalo scored two goals, added an assist and was credited with the game-winning goal. Pacheco finished with a goal and an assist while putting all three of his shots on frame. Nickson recorded two assists and added two shots. Kelly made 12 saves in goal and also tallied an assist.
With the win, the Warriors move to 2-4 on the season and 1-0 in conference play. They will host the No. 1 ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan (4-0-1, 2-0) on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m.
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors’ live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.
