MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Despite trailing 3-0 on the road, Indiana Wesleyan University men's soccer nearly overcame the odds in a 3-2 loss at Bethel (Ind.) College in Mishawaka, Indiana.

It was a critical Mid-Central College Conference match between the Wildcats and Pilots for MCC standings implications. An IWU victory would have created a tie between the two programs for second place.

But with the Bethel win, the Pilots stand alone in second place at 6-1-0 and are right on the heels of first place Taylor (Ind.) University. Indiana Wesleyan falls to 4-3-0 and is in a four way tied for third place.

Bethel (10-4-0) jumped out to a 3-0 advantage during a 17-minute scoring spree in the first half. Three different players scored for Bethel in the 23rd minute, 26th minute and 40th minute.

The Wildcats began to close the gap shortly after the three goal outburst by Bethel with a score in the 43rd minute. Seth Douwsma blasted a shot from outside the 18-yard box to the left corner of the goal. The tally brought the deficit to 3-1 right before the half.

Despite trailing 3-1 at intermission, Indiana Wesleyan outshot Bethel 7-4 over the first 45 minutes of play.

Midway through the second half, Indiana Wesleyan struck again. Geoff Bowman headed in the goal after a deflection on a long throw in. The goal in the 71st minute cut the score to 3-2.

The Wildcats were unable to find the equalizer in the final 19 minutes despite outshooting the Pilots 12-7 in the match.

Indiana Wesleyan returns home for their final two regular season matches. The first of those two is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18 as IWU hosts Taylor at Wildcat Field.