Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The visiting Gustavus Gusties spoiled Bethel's final home game by defeating the Royals 17-10 today.

The two teams played a very statistically even game, but it was defense that won it for Gustavus in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. With Bethel driving inside the red zone, Josh Aakre's (Fr., Dawson, Minn.) pass on fourth down and six was intercepted, dashing the Royals hopes of sending the game into overtime.

Dusty Wahl (Jr., Mahtomedi, Minn.) had Bethel's only touchdown of the game, scoring from one-yard out early in the second quarter. Matt Wetherell (Fr., Glen Ellyn, Ill.) tacked on a 27-yard field goal to put Bethel up 10-7 late in the third quarter, but that would be all the Royals would get.

Gustavus answered with a touchdown and field goal of their own to take the lead for good.

Offensively, Aakre was 11-for-27 for 84 yards passing. However, he had several passes deflected and four interecepted. Logan Flannery (So., Lakeville, Minn.) rushed the ball 22 times for 84 yards, while Joel Quick (Jr., Johnston, Iowa) and Aaron Bernstetter (Sr., Holdingford, Minn.) each caught four passes.

On defense, Trent Pearson (So., Shakopee, Minn.) had 11 tackles and forced a fumble, and MIAC sack leader, Aaron Mills (Sr., Traverse City, Mich.) added two more to his season total, as well as seven other tackles. David Benjamin (Jr., Roseville, Minn.) had Bethel's lone interception.

With the loss, Bethel is now 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the MIAC. Gustavus improves to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in the conference with the win. The Royals will be on the road for their final two games, starting next Saturday when they are scheduled to take on St. Thomas at 1 p.m. in St. Paul.