Box Score

MANKATO, Minn. -  The Bethel University men's soccer team picked up where they left off last season by winning their season opener 2-1 on the road against the Bethany Lutheran Vikings.

The Vikings got on the board first when Joe Nuah scored in minute four with the help of Jack Steffl and Jeff Huber who combined for the assists. It wasn't until 20 minutes later that the Royals tied the game at one as Dan Slegh (Sr., Andover, Minn.) found the back of the net after a free kick pass from teammate Kirk Darling (So., Portage, Mich.).

Coleman Meyerson (Fr., Lakeville, Minn.) then added the go ahead goal with less than 10 minutes remaining in the half by finishing off a beautiful passing play set up by Brandon Peplinski (So., Maple Grove, Minn.) and Randon Sommars (Sr., Cambridge, Minn.).  Sommars found Peplinski in the corner, who in turned played the ball perfectly across the box to an oncoming Meyerson, giving the Royals all they would need for the victory.

Nick Kantor (Jr., Buffalo, Minn.) saved seven of the eight shots he faced for the Royals, while Bethany's William Tatge (So., Lowell, Ind./Lowell) saved seven of nine shots.

Bethel is now 1-0 overall, dropping Bethany Lutheran to 0-1. The Royals will have an action packed week next week as they play on Monday, Sept. 1, at Northwestern beginning at 1 p.m. By week's end, they'll have played five games, more than a fourth of their regular season schedule.