ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – In its final regular season home game of the year the Bethel University women's soccer team was narrowly edged by Saint Benedict 1-0 on a chilly Wednesday afternoon at Ona Orth Athletic Complex.

At halftime of the contest, Bethel honored seniors Kaylee Peterson, Adri Tjeerdsma, Sierra Smith, Brooke Ogne and Maria Retting for all their time and dedication given to the program.

Despite falling to the Bennies, the Royals clinched a MIAC playoff spot for the second straight season thanks to Carleton defeating St. Olaf 7-2. Bethel, which currently sits sixth in the standings, would need a win on Saturday at St. Catherine in order to move up in the standings and host a home game next Tuesday for the quarterfinals. Saturday's kickoff in St. Paul is set for 1 p.m.

CSB came right out of the gates firing testing Peterson in goal. The BU defense was playing a strong bend but don't break mentality with the Bennies controlling possession a majority of the first. CSB broke the scoreless tie in the 41st minute on a ball played up the middle of the pitch allowing the MIAC's leading scorer Megan Thompson to beat a Bethel defender up the middle and sending it past Peterson.

The Royals responded out of the break with strong possession time and limiting CSB to four second half shots on goal. Peterson finished the night with 11 saves which was one shy of matching her career-high.  

Bethel had some great looks down the stretch but it seemed like one deflection couldn't go its way. In the 55th minute, it looked as if Sophie Kendall was going to net the equalizer but the Bennies keeper held on by the slightest bit stopping it between her legs. A cross from Tjeerdsma in the final 30 seconds was inches away from being tapped in before CSB cleared it out to hang on.