ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The Bethel University women's soccer team won their fourth game in a row and third straight MIAC game Wednesday afternoon by a 3-1 score over Saint Mary's University. Bethel found themselves down 1-0 early on but that did not discourage them as they scored twice in the first half and once more in the second to take the victory. 

The Cardinals struck first with a goal in the ninth minute to put Bethel behind early on, just as they were in their blowout victory on Monday against Martin Luther. But just as they did on Monday, the Royals responded with a Maggie Sipe score ten minutes later to even things up. Britney Monteon then showed off her exceptional skills on a free kick by putting one in the back of the net from 30 yards out to put Bethel up 2-1. The Royals would outshoot SMU 11-3 in the first half. The second half saw Bethel score in the 60th minute as Maggie Sipe struck again, this time off a Rachel Waterman assist. For Sipe it was her fifth goal in the last three days as she tallied three times against Martin Luther. Bethel would outshoot SMU 6-2 in the second half and kept the score at the 3-1 final. 

The Royals are now 8-2 on the season and 3-1 in the MIAC, standing tied at the top of the MIAC with St. Olaf (3-1) and St. Thomas (3-0) with nine points. Bethel will travel to Saint Benedict on Saturday for a 1 p.m. showdown with the Bennies in St. Joseph, Minnesota.