The Lowdown: Bethel College at Friends University
Location: Adair-Austin Stadium
Kickoff: Oct. 17 @ 8:00 PM
Live Stream: https://kcacnetwork.com/friends/
Live Stats: https://naiastats.prestosports.com/sports/msoc/2026-27/conf/KCAC/Box_Scores/20261017_aknl.xml
Flying with the Falcons (9-3-1, 7-1 KCAC)
The last time the Falcons were playing was at an unfamiliar spot rather than Adair-Austin Stadium. Due to inclement weather the Falcons had to play at Stryker Sports Complex in which the Falcons shut out Avila 5-0. Jose Quiel led the way with 2 goals and an assist in the victory. Diego Marin and Austin Wyn Davies, the top goalscorers for the Falcons also netted goals as well. Marin and Wyn Davies have 9 goals a piece and also are tied with 4 assists on the season.
Cameron Stout and Keagan Lewis have been splitting games playing goalkeeper for the Falcons. The tandem has a combined 7 shutouts on the season and have kept opponents honest on the back end.
Tape on the Threshers (3-7-3, 3-5-1 KCAC)
The last time the Threshers were in action was against McPherson in which Bethel lost in a narrow 1-0 game. Bethel's offense averages 1.54 goals a game with 10.6 shots per game. Hugo Duran and Connell Silmon each have 4 goals and 3 assists for the Threshers which lead the team.
Diego Medina is the primary goalkeeper for Bethel this season as he has started 13 games and averages a little over three goals a game allowed. Medina's save percentage is 64.5% and has two shutouts on the season.
The Coaches:
Bryan Perez is in his sixth season as head coach of the Friends University men's soccer program.
In 2024, Perez coached three All-KCAC players and led the Falcons to a 6-4-3 record in the KCAC.
During the 2023 campaign, Perez guided the Falcons to a 9-6-5 overall record and a 7-2-4 mark in the KCAC. The Falcons advanced to the KCAC postseason tournament semifinal round and had top-seeded Oklahoma Wesleyan University on the ropes, but OKWU tied the score with 16 seconds left in regulation and pulled out a 3-2 win in double-overtime.
In 2022, the Falcons finished fifth in the league after coming in as the third seed in Perez's debut season as head coach.
During his first season in 2021, Perez helped the Falcons to a 12-4-1 overall record, including winning 12 of their final 15 matches.
In his first season with the program as an assistant coach, Perez helped the Falcons capture the KCAC tournament championship and achieve the program's first NAIA National Tournament berth since the 2007 season.
Perez was recently named the head coach of FC Wichita, a local men's soccer amateur team that is a member of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). He also functions as the Technical Director for the program.
Prior to taking his position at FC Wichita, Perez served as the Director of Coaching for Alliance FC in Kansas City, where he led the coaches and developed the soccer curriculum.
His professional playing career includes competing for six years for the Kansas City Comets, an indoor soccer team in the Major Arena Soccer League. He led the Comets to a pair of championships, including an undefeated season in 2015.
He was also called to play for the United States Men's National Futsal team for their 2012 and 2016 World Cup Qualifying teams.
Perez played collegiately at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and enjoyed a standout career that resulted in him being inducted into the school's athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.
He wrapped up his playing career at UMKC as the team's all-time leader in goals (29), points (70) and games played (78).
Perez was a four-time All-Summit league performer, including earning first-team honors on three occasions.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from UMKC in 2010 and currently resides in Wichita with his wife Jamie and two children, Mila (seven) and Enzo (four).
Juan Zamora is entering his second season after being named the head coach of the Bethel College men's soccer program on April 23, 2025. A standout player and proven leader, Zamora brings a deep knowledge of the KCAC and a competitive spirit that aligns with the Thresher tradition. Zamora served as an assistant coach for two seasons prior to being named as head coach.
A graduate of Friends University, Zamora was a two-time NAIA All-American and remains the Falcons' all-time leading goal scorer with 56 goals. He was a key contributor to Friends' 2020 KCAC conference championship team, showcasing both elite talent and a commitment to team success.
Zamora steps into the head coaching role after having served in a leadership capacity since the departure of the previous head coach. His playing pedigree, understanding of the conference, and ability to connect with student-athletes position him well to guide the program into its next chapter.
Up Next: The Falcons will go to Springfield, Missouri and take on Evangel University on Wednesday (Oct. 21) at 7:30pm.
Falcons by the Numbers:
Overall: 9-3-1
KCAC: 7-1
Home: 5-0
Away: 4-3-1
Scoring zero goals: 0-0
Scoring one goal: 9-3-1
Scoring two goals: 8-2-1
Scoring three goals: 6-0-1
Scoring 4+ goals: 5-0
Allowing zero goals: 6-0
Allowing one goal: 3-2-1
Allowing two goals: 0-3-1
Allowing three goals: 0-2-1
Allowing 4+ goals: 0-2
Leading at halftime: 8-0
Trailing at halftime: 1-2
Tied at halftime: 0-1-1
Leading in shots-on-goal: 8-1
Trailing in shots-on-goal: 0-2-1
Shots-on-goal are even: 0-0
