Box Score

MT. VERNON, Iowa - The Bethel University women's soccer team opened their 2012 season in style with a 5-0 victory over Cornell College Friday evening. The Royals controlled all aspects of the season opening match for both teams and head coach Amanda Maxwell recorded her first collegiate head-coaching win.

“It was a great game,” Maxwell commented. “We truly worked together as a team to get this win.”

The Royals offense was highlighted by senior Kelsey Flaherty (Shoreview, Minn.) and sophomore Emma Blanchard (Decorah, Iowa), who each tallied four points on the night. Flaherty, coming off an All-MIAC and All-Region season in 2011 got off to a great start in 2012, scoring the Royals first goal 28 minutes into the first period. She was assisted by Blanchard. The Royals second goal came fourteen minutes later on a header by Danni Steele (So., Mankato, Minn.) off a corner kick by Jessica Husbey (So., Medina, Minn.). The Royals defense was stout in the first half, allowing just one Rams shot.

Flaherty scored her second goal of the game five minutes into the second period, giving the Royals a 3-0 lead. Blanchard then scored her first goal of the season at the 77-minute mark. She was assisted by Suzette Anderson (Jr., Lino Lakes, Minn.). Blythe Whealy (So., Wayzata, Minn.) closed out the scoring with under two minutes left in the match, notching her first goal of the season with Blanchard assisting.

“As the game went on we settled down and started to connect our passes,” Coach Maxwell said. “We got into a good rhythm. Senior Anne Fazio (Holland, Mich.) also made things happen for us.”

Goalkeeper Callie Roseland (Jr., Moorhead, Minn.) notched the shutout, making three saves on the night.

The Royals will take Saturday off and travel to Indianola, Iowa to take on Simpson College Sunday afternoon at 2pm.