ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University women's soccer team saw their record breaking season come to an end with a 4-2 loss to Augsburg University Wednesday afternoon at the Ona Orth Athletic Complex. The Auggies were able to take full advantage of the handful of opportunities they created, scoring on each of their four shots on goal in the game while Bethel scored twice but just missed on multiple other close calls, totaling six shots on goal. Augsburg scored twice in each half while Bethel made a furious comeback in the second half with both of their goals but were just unable to get the needed scores.
 
The Royals nearly took an early lead in the 16^th minute when Britney Monteon sent off a left-footed blast from 35' that nailed the cross bar, coming straight down and bouncing off the goalies back but deflecting to the side. The Auggies first goal came six minutes later on their first shot on goal of the game. The Auggies second goal came in the 37^th minute after a shot was deflected by the Royals goalkeeper off the post and back into play where an Auggie was ready to finish, making it 2-0.
 
The second half saw the Auggies extend their lead early on with a goal at 50:22 but the Royals made a valiant effort to come back. Bethel was able to create a penalty kick after a scrum in the box and Rachel Waterman booted it past the Augsburg goalie to make it 3-1 at 51:57. Less than 40 seconds later Britney Monteon showed off her skill and power with a goal at 52:35 to pull Bethel within one at 3-2. The Royals crowd at Ona Orth was full of energy as the Royals onslaught continued with Monteon getting another good shot off but being stopped by the Augsburg keeper. The Auggies were able to slow the Royals momentum and take back their two goal lead when the MIAC's leading scoerer, Ashley St. Aubin lofted a perfectly placed shot up and over the Bethel goalie into the far corner of the net right at the 60 minute mark. Bethel did not go quietly as they continued to create chance after chance. Maggie Sipe launched a shot in the 64^th minute that hit the bottom of the cross bar and eventually deflected out into the box where Monteon had a header opportunity that went just high. Two more times the Royals were able to get header opportunities in the box off of corner kicks but the shots went high. Bethel's last shot inside of two minutes was a rip by Sipe which the Augsburg goalie was just able to get a hand on and deflect up over the goal for the great save as the game ended with the 4-2 final score.  
 
The Royals led the statistics count with a 12-10 shots advantage and 6-4 on goal while creating six corner kicks to just two for Augsburg. The Royals were whistled for 13 fouls and a yellow card to just three fouls on Augsburg.
 
The loss ends Bethel's season with a 13-4-1 record overall. The Royals broke numerous program records throughout the year both in MIAC action and overall. A full season recap can be seen in the coming days at bethelroyals.com.