ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University men's soccer team scored their first win of the season with two second period goals to come from behind and defeat Hamline University 2-1. The victory puts the Royals at 1-1 in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (MIAC) action.

The game winner came with just seven minutes left in the contest when Matthew Pisarski (So., West Des Moines, Iowa) put one in the net. Collin Dewitt (Fr., Souix Falls, S.D.) scored the first Royals goal at the 66 minute mark in the second period to tie the game up for Bethel. Brett Neihart (Sr., Prairie Village, Kan.) assisted on the game winner and Kolten Fischer (Jr., Shoreview, Minn.) assisted on Dewitt's goal.

The Royals had good scoring opportunities right away in the first period, getting a good shot off just a minute and a half in. Despite controlling the ball for much of the game the Royals found themselves behind when the Pipers scored 32 minutes in. The Royals outshot the Pipers 17-9 on the game. Junior Goalkeeper Chris Scott (Cedar, Minn.) made three saves to get the victory.

“I am very proud that we found a way to get a result today,” said head coach Jeremy Iwaszkowiec. “We conceded a goal against the run and play and did not panic. Our guys showed guts battling back in the second half. I though Gavin Woodland had a fantastic game in the back and Matt Pisarski continues to set the tone for us. He was rewarded and deserving of the game winner.”

The Royals will now take a break from MIAC play and travel to face the University of Dubuque (Iowa) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. It will be the Royals third game on the road this season against an opponent from the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC). Next Saturday Bethel will host St. Mary's as part of a doubleheader with the Royals women's soccer team. The women will kickoff at 1 p.m. and the men will follow at 3 p.m. at the Ona Orth Athletic Complex.