ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The University of Northwestern Men's Soccer team made the short drive up Snelling Avenue to Bethel University on Friday afternoon to kick off the 2024 season. Despite bringing back an abundance of experience while adding some fresh, young faces, the Eagles came up short, falling to their neighbors to the north by a 4-0 score.
The Royals were active early, scoring the game's opening goal just 2:52 into the game. Bethel added another score 10 minutes later and took a 2-0 lead into the half. Freshman
Jared Mojardin (Denver, Colo./Northeast Early College) peppered the net throughout the second half, but was unable to put one home. Two more Bethel goals in the 69
th and 74
th minutes gave the home team a decisive, 4-0 win.
Mojardin provided a nice spark off the bench with five shots and three shots on goal. UNW's leading goal scorer from 2023,
Simeon Friesen (Mounds View, Minn./Homeschool), provided Northwestern's only other shot on goal in the game.
Alejandro Alfaro (Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta) fired off two shots, and
Luis Villalobos (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) and
Jackson Bauer (Lake in the Hills, Ill./Huntley) each one.
Michael Machuca (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island) made six saves in his second career start in net.
The Eagles will return to action Tuesday night when they make their 2024 home debut at 7:00 against Augsburg University.
