Box Score Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The Bethel University Men's soccer team held on for a 3-1 victory over the Crown College Storm on Saturday afternoon, extending their winning streak to four games.  The Royals have made the most of the recent home-stretch, outscoring their opponents by a total of 19 goals and taking halftime leads in each game.

The Storm gave the Royals a tough test in the first half of Saturday's game, holding the Royals scoreless until the 21st minute when Ryan Ness placed the ball just past goaltender Justin Lao.  Ness struck again just seven minutes later, getting assists from fellow strikers Danny Jaderholm and Matthew Pisarski.

Despite another halftime lead for the Royals, coach Iwaszkowiec was clear that their execution could have been better.  "I felt like we started out very sluggish and slow, we just weren't as intense I felt we should have been."  Although the Royals' coach may have been a bit frustrated he acknowledged that the outstanding play of Ryan Ness has certainly helped propel his team's recent success.

The Royals were relatively dormant in the second half, due in large part to the solid play of their goaltender Lao.  The Storm had effectively shutout the Royals until Pisarski scored his sixth goal of the season on an assist from Jeremy Tan in the 80th minute.  Following this goal, the Storm finally struck back with their first goal of the game just four minutes later.

The Royals ultimately grabbed their fourth win of the season, outshooting the Storm by 24 shots and firing 17 shots on goal.  Coach Iwaszkowiec knows his team has a tough road ahead but he says, "I hope we have built some momentum and confidence heading into MIAC play."  The Royals will end their five-game homestand on Wednesday afternoon against St. Olaf, beginning a stretch which will include seven consecutive road games.