NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College men's soccer team's comeback attempt against Bethany Lutheran College (BLC) fell just short in a 4-3 defeat on Thursday.

The Vikings' Max Busch was the story to start the game as he scored four goals in the game's opening 52 minutes to give BLC a 4-0 lead. Busch's first goal came on a penalty kick in the 17th minute, and he went on to add scores in the 26th, 40th and 52nd minutes.

MLC started its comeback in the 64th minute on a goal by Isaias Santos off an assist from David Martin, and Martin quickly followed with a goal of his own in the 68th minute to trim BLC's lead in half.

Trailing 4-2, Santos added his second goal of the game in the 70th minute off a pass from Nathan Pausma to cut the Knights' deficit to one, but the Vikings were able to hold on over the final 20 minutes to secure the win.

Santos' two goals were the first of his collegiate career, while Martin also scored his first career goal for MLC. Santos led MLC with three shots (all on goal), while Josiah Wordell and Jake Vilhauer each recorded a pair of shots. 

Joshua Higgins stopped nine of the Vikings' 13 shots on goal.

MLC fell to 0-3-1 on the season and in UMAC play in defeat. BLC improved to 1-1-0 overall and in conference play with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Saturday, April 17, when they travel to Northwestern-St. Paul for a game scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.