ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The Bethel University women's soccer team traveled to St. Benedict's Tuesday afternoon looking to maintain their second place standing in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) in a matchup with the third place Blazers and thanks to a 2-2 tie, they accomplished that. On a very cold, windy afternoon the Blazers and Royals were battling for second place in the MIAC standings and the game saw several twists and turns.

The Blazers, who started with the wind at their backs, scored just 11:15 into the game for an early 1-0 lead. The Royals defense held tight and the game remained 1-0 until the offense came alive in the second period with a pair of goals within 66 seconds of each other. Suzette Anderson (Jr., Lino Lakes, Minn.) scored first at 75:44 off an assist by the MIAC's assist leader, Jessica Huseby (So., Medina, Minn.). The assist for Huseby, her 11th, broke the Bethel single season record of 10 set by Sophie Christiansen in 2008. At the 76:50 mark, the MIAC's newly crowned women's soccer Athlete of the Week, Anne Fazio (Sr., Holland, Mich.), kept her goal streak alive and gave the Royals a 2-1 lead. It was the sixth straight game with a goal for Fazio. For the first time in that streak however, Huseby was not involved with the assist to Fazio as Erin Yockey (Fr., Woodbury, Minn.) set her up.

The Blazers were able to tie the game however, on an own goal off of a free kick with just 1:34 left in regulation. The game went into overtime and neither team was able to put one through in either 10 minute session to end in the tie. St. Benedict's was able to get off six shots in the first overtime period while the Royals did not get any as they battled against the wind. In the second overtime the Royals used the wind and controlled the ball with two shots to none for the Blazers. For the game St. Benedicts outshot Bethel 24-11, only the second time the Royals have been outshot all season.

“The wind was a major factor today keeping both teams on their toes for a very competitive match,” said Royals head coach Amanda Maxwell. “We had two great goals and fought hard against a good team. It was good to pick up a point on an away game. We are looking forward to learning from our mistakes as we prepare to take on Concordia on Saturday.”

The tie sets up a first place showdown for the Royals when they host the league leading Concordia College Cobbers Saturday afternoon. The Royals sit just one point behind the Cobbers, who are ranked second in the North Region according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and sit 23rd in all of NCAA DIII in the NSCAA national poll. The match is set to begin at approximately 3 p.m. following the conclusion of the men's game at 1 p.m. at the Ona Orth Athletic Complex.