ST. PAUL, MINN.- The opening game of the 2021 fall season lived up to the hype for the UNW Men's Soccer squad as they faced off against Bethel University. It was a tightly contested game that the Royals won in the final minutes, 2-1.

It was a big crowd at Reynolds Field as the anticipation was high for the first fall soccer season in two years. The hometown crowd had a lot to cheer about early on as the Eagles started fast on their home turf. The Eagles were knocking on the door early and broke through in the 19^th minute when freshman Aaron Hill (New Brighton, Minn./Mounds View) delivered a great ball into the box. The ball bounced around and finally found the foot of Koby Wesselink (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Linn-Mar High School), who found the back of the net. The Eagles led 1-0.  

The Eagles were extremely solid for the remainder of the first half. The shots were pretty evenly matched, with the Royals having a slight advantage in shots, 5-3. However, UNW's back line of defense was strong and went into the locker room at the half still clinging to that 1-0 lead.

It was more of the same to start the second half. The Eagle defense made life hard on the Royals who struggled to create quality scoring chances. However, in the 67^th minute, Bethel created an opportunity and capitalized on it. Matthias Caspari found the back of the net for the Royals to tie the game 1-1. Caspari scored again in the 84^th minute to give the Royals the dramatic, come from behind victory.

It was no surprise that this game came down to the final minutes as it was very evenly matched throughout. Bethel had 12 shots (8 on goal) to Northwestern's 8 shots (4 on goal). Austin Gunkel (Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View) was strong in the net for the Eagles finishing with six saves.

It was an electric atmosphere for the home opener, and Eagle Nation can see the Men's Soccer team back in action on Monday, September 6^th when the Eagles host Hamline University.