Box Score

MANKATO, Minn. - The Bethel University women's soccer team kicked off their season with a 1-0 shutout over the Bethany Lutheran College Vikings today.

Defense was the name of the game as the Royals held the Vikings to just one shot on goal, allowing goalkeeper Charli Sorensen (Sr., Park Ridge, Ill.) to earn her first shutout of the season, and the 13th of her career. Katie Renner fended off eight of Bethel's nine shots for the Vikings.

Sophie Christianson (Fr., Portland, Ore.) scored the lone goal of the game at the 27:26 mark of the first half, with the assist going to Ashley Pound (Plymouth, Minn.).

The game also marked a reunion of sorts, as Bethany Lutheran is coached by Derick Lyngholm, a Bethel graduate, who also served as an assistant with the Bethel men's soccer program for six seasons. Lyngholm played goalkeeper for the Royals during the 1997-98 campaigns.

The Royals are now 1-0, while the Vikings begin their season 0-1. Bethel returns home to the Ona Orth Athletic Complex to face Crown College on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 2 p.m.