MIAC Preview & Preseason Coaches Poll

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The Bethel University men's soccer team opens their season Friday afternoon at the friendly confines of the Ona Orth Athletic Complex as they welcome the University of Northwestern Eagles. The Royals and Eagles have held some spirited contests in recent years but Bethel has held the upper hand overall, especially at home. The Royals have won each of the last three games held in Arden Hills by a combined 14-2 score. Just down Snelling Avenue in Roseville however, the Eagles have fared much better as the past three games are an even 1-1-1 with each team claiming a 1-0 win and last year's 1-1 tie. For the 2018 opener, the Royals will look to continue the recent history of home success. Overall Bethel holds an all-time 21-6-2 advantage over UNW.

The Royals are looking to improve on the 2017 season in which they finished 4-11-2 and went winless in seven games at home. Those marks should be an aberration as Bethel was 9-8-1 overall and 7-3-1 at home in 2016 and still just three seasons removed from going 8-1 at home in 2014. In 2018 the Royals will play 11 of their 18 games at home.

Head coach Jeremy Iwaszkowiec is entering his eighth season at the helm of the Royals program and has seen reasons to be very optimistic about the Royals chances to make a jump up.

"I am really excited about the group this year," said coach Iwaszkowiec. "We have some very positive and unified upperclassmen leadership. They have set a very positive tone throughout preseason and the overall vibe is very good. There are quite a few newcomers bringing some good energy to the mix as well. Having 15 freshmen split between the varsity and JV has provided good competition for spots and playing time."

The Royals will rely heavily on senior captain Spencer Pearson as well as senior Ryan Petersen to set the tone defensively. Both have three years of varsity experience and coach Iwaszkowiec believes they will be confident leaders in the back. Senior forward Brendan Reich and junior midfielder Connor Nelson are the Royals top two returning offensive threats and will figure heavily into the plan of attack in 2018.

"If we can put away a few chances early and gain some confidence, I like our chances heading into conference play," coach Iwaszkowiec commented.

Following the opener with Northwestern, Bethel will take a pair of road trips to Simpson College and UW-Superior on Labor Day Monday and then Wednesday, September 6^th. The final two non-conference tune-ups will come at home on September 6^th and September 8^th against Bethany Lutheran and Cornell. The Royals will then begin their quest to get into the MIAC playoffs for the first time since 2004. They welcome St. Olaf College to Ona Orth on Wednesday, September 12^th.