ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University Men's soccer team took a 1-0 victory over the Hamline University Pipers on Saturday afternoon, extending their winning streak to four games.  The Royals improved 8-1 at home on this Senior Day, capturing all four of their conference wins in the recent homestretch.

Both teams were evenly matched with Hamline entering the game just one spot behind Bethel in the conference standings.  Despite the Royals outshooting the Pipers 4-2 in the first half, each team mustered just one shot-on-goal and both goalkeepers were stout in their defense.  Royal's head coach Jeremy Iwaszkowiec assessed the first period saying, "We were really trying to feel each other out, Hamline has gotten some good results in the conference so we knew they were going to be a tough matchup."
           
The match would head into halftime scoreless, with both teams searching for a way to breakthrough.  As the second half progressed, it seemed to be much of the same for both teams until Danny Jaderholm floated a ball over Hamline goaltender Derrick Mora in the 76^th minute.  Assisted on the play by Jake Opheim, the sophomore Jaderholm broke away and beat the goalkeeper for his third score of the season and the deciding goal of the match.

Coach Iwaszkowiec knew this was a great day for his team in addition to the winning result.  "This is a special group since it's my first class and I'm just happy for these guys.  It's a really special day for our program and I'm glad we got the win," said Iwaszkowiec. 

The Royals ultimately grabbed their eighth win on the season and will look to even their record at 9-9 heading into the last regular season game at Gustavus on Tuesday. A Bethel victory gives the Royals a real shot at claiming a spot in the MIAC playoffs. Bethel moved into sixth place with the win today which would put them in the six team conference playoffs.