The 2008-09 year was marked by many highlights in each of Bethel University's 18 varsity sports. Over the course of the summer, we will continue to relive those highlights sport-by-sport. We continue our series with women's soccer.
Fans of Bethel's women's soccer program definitely had something to cheer about this season as the Royals put together the strongest season they've had since becoming a varsity sport in 1993. Below is the post game story from Bethel's win over Saint Mary's on the last game of the season.
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - Bethel's 3-1 win over Saint Mary's today was a fitting end to a season full of highlights, and for the first time in the team's 16-year history, the Royals finished with a record above .500.
Freshman sensation
Sophie Christiansen (Portland, Ore.) scored the first goal of the game just a few minutes before halftime, assisted by
Krista Polding (So., Waconia, Minn.). Christiansen set a new Bethel record by recording 30 points as a freshman on 10 goals and 10 assists. Her point total already makes her one of the top 10 scorers in Bethel women's soccer history.
Christiansen still has a ways to go before she catches up to
Esther Sowles (Sr., Waconia, Minn.), who also scored her 10th goal of the season today, and her ninth in her last five games. Sowles scored what proved to be the game-winning goal early in the second half, assisted by
Katelynn Hains (Jr., Prior Lake, Minn.). Sowles finishes her stellar career with 68 points, which puts her in second place in Bethel's record book, just one point ahead of former teammates Jessie Tschetter and Lauren Johnson. Her 28 career goals is third best in team history.
Fellow senior,
Kylie Dirks (Excelsior, Minn.) also ended her Bethel soccer career today with a goal, giving her three on the season. Bethel will also lose
Kristin Kishaba (Eau Claire, Wis.),
Nicki Luehrs (Hudson, Wis.),
Sarah Crabtree (Fergus Falls, Minn.), and
Charli Sorensen (Park Ridge, Ill.) to graduation.
Sorensen, Bethel's career saves record holder, had nine saves today, giving her a grand total of 566 in her four years. She also holds the school record for career wins and shutouts. She nearly added another shutout to her total, but Marie Allen of the Cardinals scored with just over two minutes remaining for their lone goal of the day.
The Royals won or tied four of their last five games to give them almost as equally strong of an end to the season as their beginning of the season when they set a new school record with six consecutive wins. They finish with a 9-7-2 overall record, and 2-7-2 conference record. Saint Mary's finishes their season at 5-12-1 overall and 0-11 in the MIAC.
