ARDEN HILLS, Minn. -   The Bethel University men's soccer team fell to the conference-leading Macalester College Scots on Saturday afternoon by a score of 3-0.  On their senior day, the Royals made a valiant effort but ultimately could not hand the Scots their first loss of the season.
 
"I loved our effort today and the fact that we refused to quit in the second half.  This really was a special group of players, they left a mark on the program both on and off the field and they will be missed," commented head coach Jeremy Iwaszkowiec. 
 
In their final contest of the season, the Royals battled the Scots tightly in the first half but ultimately surrendered two goals in the opening period.  Defense dominated the first twenty minutes of action but the Scots eventually broke through against Jakob Bartels, the standout goalkeeper for the Royals and the conference leader in saves.  The Scots received goals from Danny Baumann and freshman Clayton Smith to take the lead into halftime.
 
In the second half, the Royals once again came out aggressively on defense and kept the game within reach for much of the period.  However, the Scots added their third goal of the game late in the half and ultimately put the Royals away as they notched their 13^th win of the season and remained undefeated heading into the MIAC playoffs.  While the Royals could not pull off the upset, they won five of their final nine matches and fought their way to a 6-10-2 overall record.
 
As the Royals sent their seniors off for the final time on Saturday, they will now look ahead to the 2016 campaign as they prepare a new crop of young talent.