The Lancaster Bible College men's soccer team picked up a key North Eastern Athletic Conference victory on Saturday as the Chargers scored three times in the second half to defeat Penn College, 3-1 at Charger Field. Lancaster Bible is now 9-8 overall and 7-5 in NEAC play. The Wildcats dropped to 3-14, 2-9 NEAC. The victory keeps the Chargers in the thick of the NEAC playoff picture and this weekend's two wins have put Lancaster Bible in a great position to earn its third straight playoff berth.

How it Happened: After a scoreless first half, the action picked up quickly in the second 45 minutes as Penn College got on the board just 1:18 in on a goal from Roman Cruz. Cruz took a crossing pass from Luke McFalls and scored into the left-hand side of the net for his first goal of the season.

Lancaster Bible responded 10 minutes later as Spencer Lockard headed in Eric Bailey's cross of a set piece and knotted the game at 1-1. Lockard was able to carve out some room for himself alone in the box and got a lot on the header that went into the back of the net on the right-hand side. Just 8:40 later, Penn College was called for a handball in the box and the Chargers were awarded a penalty kick. Junior Edward Bills stepped up to the ball and scored his fifth goal of the season, including his second PK goal of the year.

Lancaster Bible was able to maintain the lead through the final minutes and one of those minutes included an unbelievable save by Chargers goalkeeper Vann Sutphin. Penn College's Austin Dowrick was able to get free in the box and rocketed a shot that was headed for the back of the net. Sutphin dove to his right and snagged the ball with two hands to keep the Chargers in front by one. 

As Penn College was pressing for the equalizer late in the game, Lancaster Bible earned an odd-man rush up the field and Jeff Edman found Brendon Dooley who put the game away with his fifth goal of the year.

By the Numbers: Lancaster Bible outshot Penn College, 12-10, including 8-6 in shots on goal...The Chargers also held the edge in corner kicks at 6-2...Senior Marco Patz also picked up an assist on Dooley's goal...Sutphin made five saves to earn his eighth win of the year.

The Coach Says: "I'm happy we were able to overcome their early goal in the second half and were able to create chances in a variety of ways," Lancaster Bible Head Coach Tom Ardt said. "Penn College was good today and it was an evenly matched, fun game."

"Give credit to Bailey and Lockard for combining really nicely on the equalizing goal and Vann had some great saves," Ardt said. 

Information Hodge Podge: Lancaster Bible is now 2-1 all-time against Penn College...The Chargers are 6-2 at home this season...This is the first time all season that Lancaster Bible has been above the .500 mark.

Up Next: Lancaster Bible hosts Houghton on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.