The Gustavus women’s soccer team suffered a narrow 2-1 loss at the hands of Bethel on Saturday afternoon in Arden Hills, Minn. Gustavus’s Karen Maus scored a goal off an Amanda Cartony assist in the 51st minute, cutting the lead to 2-1, yet the Royals held the Gusties scoreless for remainder of the match. Gustavus falls to 5-11 overall and 1-8 in the MIAC, while Bethel improves to 7-7-2 overall and 3-5-1 in the MIAC.
The Royals peppered Gustavus goalkeeper Chelsea Bayer with 13 shots in the opening half, while Gustavus recorded three shots. Krista Polding struck the back of the net in the 28th minute to put Bethel up 1-0, and Kelsey Flaherty extended the lead to 2-0 in the 35th minute. Carrie Kishaba tallied the assist on the Polding goal and Kelsey Holmberg recorded the dime on the Flaherty goal.
Bethel had a slight shot advantage in the second half, outshooting Gustavus 11-to-8. After the Maus goal, her first of the season, at the 51:18 mark, Bethel goalkeeper Alyssa Riggs made two saves within the frame to keep the Royals on top.
Chelsea Bayer made seven saves in the match, while Riggs made a total of four saves on her way to the win in nets. Bethel outshot Gustavus 24-to-11 and carried the corner kick advantage 6-to-3. It was Cartony’s fourth assist and 18th point of the season.
The Gustavus women’s soccer team will play Hamline on Oct. 27 at 3:30 p.m. in St. Peter, Minn.