WHEATON, Ill. - The Bethel University men's soccer team faced an extremely tough early season challenge Friday night and Saturday afternoon with games against No. 2 Wheaton and a solid Carthage squad in less than 24 hours. The Royals gave a pair of great efforts but unfortunately fell in both contests by a 3-1 score against Wheaton and 1-0 in double overtime to Carthage.

In Friday night's contest played on the home turf of the defending national runners up in 2014 and current No. 2 ranked Wheaton College Thunder, the Royals struck first on an Abner Arias-Olson goal at 23:03. Freshman Brendan Reich assisted Arias-Olson. Wheaton wasted little time responding however as just three-and-a-half minutes later they tied the game and less than five minutes after that they tallied again to take the lead. The third Wheaton goal came early in the second period. Jakob Bartels made 11 saves for Bethel to keep them within striking distance.

A quick turnaround Saturday afternoon for the Royals resulted in another hard-fought game but an even more heartbreaking result as Carthage was able to score the games lone goal early in the second overtime. Bethel was able to put seven of their 14 shots on goal but were unable to find the back of the net. Bartels made nine saves in goal for Bethel.

Bethel will now return home for their first appearance on the natural grass of the Ona Orth Athletic Complex with a 4 p.m. contest with the University of Wisconsin-Superior on Wednesday, September 9th.