ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University men's soccer team found themselves on the wrong end of a 1-0 decision Saturday afternoon against Simpson College. Anticipation built as the Royals original home opener on Wednesday against UW-Superior was postponed due to inclement weather. A goal by the visiting Storm in the 44th minute handed the Royals their first shutout loss of the season.

The Royals drop to 4-2 on the season and enter MIAC play next Wednesday at Carleton before hosting Concordia on Saturday.

Angel Mendoza had the game's best look in the opening 12 minutes with his shot deflecting off the right woodwork. The Storm came right back at the Royals starting goalie Ben Wright had to make the game's first save. Possession stayed even through the middle parts of the first where neither team took a shoot over the span of 20 minutes. It wasn't until a corner kick gave Simpson some time it its offensive zone leading to the game's only goal.

Simpson held down the Bethel attack while the Royals forced all of Simpson's second half shots to come wide of the frame. Storm goalkeeper Jake Potratz made three saves in the final five minutes including a bullet from Jacob Redden in the closing seconds. Redden's shot was destined for the upper 90 but a miraculous leap by Potratz allowed him to punch it away as time expired.