by Taylor Hodges 

MCKENZIE, Tenn. – Faulkner's men's soccer team (10-5-1) avenged its regular-season loss with a 4-2 win over Bethel in the opening round of the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament on Friday night.

The Wilcats took the lead early on with a goal four minutes in.

Things started to go the Eagles way in the 18th minute when Victor De Souza was fouled in the box, and Guilherme Mondaini converted the penalty to tie the game.

Bethel would go on to score a goal in the 31st minute, but Mateus Cesar quickly answered with an equalizer just two minutes later.

De Souza gave Faulkner the lead with less than a minute remaining in the half.

The second half was quiet for the most part until Jarom Farnsworth sealed the game for the Eagles in the 61st minute with an assist from Cesar

Caio Calado (10-5-1) started in goal for Faulkner and recorded just one save while giving up both goals.

The Eagles move on to the semifinals of tournament and will take on top-seeded and NAIA No. 1 William Carey on Wednesday at the Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex in Montgomery. Game times have yet to be determined.