ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University Women's soccer team was defeated 2-1 on Monday afternoon by UW-River Falls, unable to convert a halftime lead.  Both teams were locked in a defensive stalemate for the majority of the game, combining to produce just eight shots-on-goal.

The Royals jumped out to an early lead with their quickest strike of the season, finding the back of the net in the second minute of the match.  Jessica Huseby placed a header just inside the near post off assists from Savannah Swanson and Olivia Haggerty.

Bethel's head coach Amanda Maxwell was happy with the hot start saying, "We went out with energy after a good game on Saturday and scored early."  Just as they did on Saturday, the Royals went on to hold their opponent scoreless in the first half and entered halftime with a one-goal lead.

Despite the halftime lead, the Royals were not able to hold on as they did against Macalester, relinquishing two goals in a two-minute stretch in the second half.  Abbie Zastrow started the scoring for the Falcons, sliding a pass from Alex Swatloski just past the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Micale Jensen in the 70th minute.  Swatloski then followed with a breakaway score less than two minutes later, capturing the deciding goal for the River Falls squad.

Ultimately, the Royals were not able to overcome the late surge and suffered their seventh loss of the season, pushing their record to 1-7-3.  Bethel will now go on the road to face the College of Saint Benedict on Saturday before coming back for a three-game conference home stretch.