ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel men's soccer team kicked off its 2024 season with a dominant 4-0 win over the University of Northwestern Eagles. With the win, the Royals capture their sixth consecutive season-opening victory, all of which have come against UNW.
How It Happened:
• It didn't take long for the Royals to burst onto the scoreboard. Less than three minutes into the first half, junior
Dylan Magistad sent a long ball from midfield into the Eagles' 18-yard-box, targeting junior
Jordan Ross. Ross won a scrappy battle with a UNW defender, took a few touches, and drilled the ball into the upper left corner of the goal.
• Just nine minutes later, senior
Jack Hanson played the ball neatly down the right sideline for sophomore
James Oberholtzer, who sped past the Eagle defender and towards the net. He sent a tidy pass across the front of the net for senior
Bereket Bereketab, and a deflection from the Northwestern defender sent the ball ricocheting into the back of the net at 12:56. 2-0, Royals.
• Freshman
Roy Kyle broke onto the scene in the second half of his first collegiate match as a Royal. He stepped up to take the Royals' corner kick in the 69th minute, and his strike sent the ball bending towards the near post. The Eagles' goalkeeper dove valiantly, but Kyle's shot deflected into the net, giving him an unassisted corner kick goal and bringing the score to 3-0, Royals.
• The Royals pounded in the final nail in the coffin in the 74th minute after quickly converting what had been a UNW free kick opportunity into an offensive breakaway.
Edin Nguyen delivered a perfect thru-ball to fellow freshman
Jack Gerber, who took on the Northwestern goalkeeper, made a quick cut to the left, and tapped the ball in for an easy goal.
• Freshman goalkeeper
Griffin Blokker earned his first collegiate shutout for the Royals, making four critical saves to seal the game at 4-0, Bethel.
What's Next:
The Royals have just one day off before they take on Bethany Lutheran in their first away game of the season this Sunday, Sept. 1. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
