STERLING, Kan. - Hesston College men's soccer battled in a high-energy match on the road but came up just short in a 3-2 loss to Sterling on Thursday afternoon (Sep. 4). The Warriors struck first, netting two quick goals in the 15th minute — Chimela Orji opened the scoring off a feed from Michael Kyalo at 14:35, and just 34 seconds later Jose Pacheco doubled the lead with help from Darragh Synnott. Hesston responded in the 22nd minute when freshman Benjamin Duguid slotted home his second goal of the season to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Larks carried that momentum into the second half. In the 55th minute, Nedas Vaivada delivered the equalizer, burying a rebound to level the match at 2-2. Hesston goalkeeper Ethan Connelly was outstanding throughout, recording 13 saves, including eight in the second half, as Sterling peppered the net with 25 shots, 16 of them on goal. Vaivada and Duguid each finished with two shots on goal, while Yura Yamazaki and Santi Llanos also tested Sterling's keeper.

Both teams pushed for a winner late, but Sterling capitalized in the final moments. With just 41 seconds left in regulation, O-Rephemetse Maphats found the back of the net for the Warriors, securing the 3-2 result. The Larks finished with 14 total shots, 10 on target, and showed resilience in coming back from a two-goal deficit before the heartbreaking late winner.

The Larks will be back in action on Tuesday (Sep. 9) as they take on Ecclesia College in Springdale, Ark. at 2:15 p.m.