Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - Leaving everything they had on the field, the Bethel Royals women's soccer team came up just short. Facing the defending MIAC champions on Homecoming, the Royals outplayed St. Thomas for the majority of the match, but were unable to maintain the lead, suffering their first loss of the season, 2-1.

The first half was a back and forth battle. Neither team was able to find the back of the net, but both teams had multiple chances. Bethel managed five shots on goal, while St. Thomas had three. Each team had three corner kicks, but no team garnered an overwhelming time of possession.

Coming out of halftime, the Royals played with a renewed drive, gaining momentum and in the 62nd minute, Brittany Griffore (So., Maple Grove, Minn.) put Bethel on the board first, scoring a pretty goal from just inside the 18-yard box. After the goal, the Royal players and fans erupted, seeing an upset close at hand. However, it was not meant to be. The momentum shifted back to the Tommies in the 69th minute, when Lexie Fischer finished a pass from Erin Sprangers to tie the game at one apiece. St. Thomas was able to score the winning goal five minutes later, in the 75th minute, on a pass from Sloane Kuramoto to Ale Wicka and put in the net by Anna Strehlow.

Goalie Kiersten Hansen (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) played well, saving 10 shots and taking charge of the defense throughout the game. Bethel had 15 shots, eight on goal, while St. Thomas took 17 shots, with 12 shots on goal.

The Royals played with immense passion and heart throughout the entire game. Even with the loss, there was a sense of accomplishment after playing such an impressive game.

"I'm so proud of these girls," said Head Coach Pepe Jon Chavez, "I told them they can hang their heads for the loss, but pick them right back up for the growth."

Fighting back tears, he said, "If there's one thing people should know about this team its that those ladies just went through a war. Some people think they aren't tough, but this team you better watch cause we're gonna prove people wrong."

It was evident that everyone had expended all their energy and emotion, drained after such a competitive match. Asked how his team would come back from such a defeat, Coach Chavez  was emphatic about his team's reaction going forward. "There is no need for a bounce back (from this game), we're that good," he said, "We just have to come out with bold faith and step it up another notch."

Bethel is now 7-1-1 (1-1-1) and St. Thomas improves to 7-2 (3-0). Looking to maintain their high level of play, the Royals travel up to Moorhead, Minn., to face the #18-ranked Concordia Cobbers this Tuesday, beginning at 2 p.m.