KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A few missed opportunities and a second-half lead surrendered saw Avila men's soccer fall to Bethel on Saturday afternoon, 3-2.

The only scoring in the first half came from Bethel, who put the ball in the back of the net on a well-executed corner kick. Through the opening 45 minutes, Avila was still very much in the game, trailing 1-0.

Avila knotted things up early in the second half, when an Eagles corner knocked off a Thresher defender for an own-goal in the 56^th minute. The goal tied the scoreline and it looked like Avila was going to extend it shortly after.

Just over two minutes after the score was tied, freshman Ricky Lopata drove nearly the length of the pitch with the ball and was taken down in the box to give Avila a penalty kick opportunity.

Up stepped Malcolm Goswell, who was 2-2 on the year from the spot.

One off a few missed opportunities in the match, Goswell's penalty kick sailed over the net.

The 69^th minute was where Avila looked to have wrapped the game up.

Senior Robert Davies found junior River Howard on a beautiful cross in the box and the first-year player from Eudora, Kan., picked up his first goal in an Avila uniform.

With just over 20 minutes remaining, Avila held a 2-1 lead.  

Just over 70 seconds later, the Threshers equalized and would add another seven minutes later to hand Avila a 3-2 loss.

The Eagles are back in action Wednesday afternoon as they welcome the Falcons of Friends to Kansas City. Kickoff from The Z is slated for 2:30 PM.