ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University men's soccer team dropped a hard fought match, 3-2, to St. Mary's University Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals scored the game winner with 17:33 left to play and held off a flurry of Bethel shots late in the game to score their third victory of the season and drop the Royals to 1-2-0 in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.

After falling behind at 3-2, the Royals put up a strong effort to tie the game. With five minutes left to play, in a stretch of one minute, Bethel had three corner kicks and two shots on goal, one of which hit the post. St. Mary's goalie Christian Van Dam made several impressive saves to thwart Bethel's hopes.

Martin Manocchio (Jr., Austin, Minn.) scored both of Bethel's goals in the first period, just six minutes apart to give the Royals an early 2-1 lead they would take into the half. The Royals were unable to hang on to the lead for long in the second period, however, as St. Mary's scored three minutes in.

“It was a frustrating loss today,” said Royals head coach Jeremy Iwaszkowiec. “We felt like we let one get away from us. I can't fault our effort but we continue to make mental errors that cost us wins. The teams in the MIAC are too good to spot them goals. We are young and continue to learn but today's loss was frustrating. St. Mary's deserves credit, they battled for 90 minutes and their goalkeeper made some big saves”

Next up for the Royals is a non-conference trip to Jamestown College in Jamestown, North Dakota on Wednesday evening. The Royals will return to MIAC play when they travel to Macalester College next Saturday night.