The bleachers at Bethel University’s Ona Orth Athletic Complex filled with Royals fans and Carleton College Knights fans. The two schools faced off Monday afternoon in the first round of the MIAC men’s soccer playoffs – the first time Bethel has ever hosted a playoff game. 

Whether seated on rain-soaked bleachers, standing on the sidelines or lounging in a lawn chair, the fans made noise early on. However, the energy didn’t last long.

Carleton’s Ben Pennell put the Knights’ first goal into the south net just over a minute into the game. A slippery playing surface made defense difficult in the first half for the Royals. Defenders struggled to gain footing, with several falling onto their backsides while reaching for the ball. Four of Carleton’s five total goals came in the first half, including two from Pennell. 

“Ona has been slippery the whole season,” Bethel captain and midfielder Will Swanda said. “But I haven’t seen the ground this slippery the whole time.” 

Despite cheers resembling a version of “When the Saints Go Marching In,” where Bethel fans replaced ‘saints’ with ‘BUMS’ – the Bethel University Men’s Soccer acronym – the Royals found no answer for the Knights in the first 45 minutes. 

“I don’t know if it was a lot of what we didn’t do well,” Swanda said. “Carleton just put on a clinic today.” 

Bethel sophomore Carter Sheard put the Royals on the board late in the first half, and Swanda scored his own goal early in the second to cut Bethel’s deficit to 4-2. But Pennell finished his hat trick just five minutes after Swanda’s goal, however, and that 5-2 score stood until the end. 

Coach Jeremy Iwaszkowiec said the team was optimistic despite being down three goals at halftime. Bethel scored three goals in a half during games against Augsburg, St. Mary’s and St. John’s this season. 

“We just talked about getting one at a time and fighting for the full 90,” Iwaszkowiec said. “So give yourself a chance. So I was proud. I don’t feel like we quit.” 

The Royals finished the season with an overall 11-8 record, their best since 2004, and look to stay competitive for years to come. 

“The next cycle begins,” Iwaszkowiec said. “The younger guys get more opportunities… We’re really excited about the program. I think we’re in a good spot.” 

Swanda, a fifth-year who played his last game for the Royals Monday, remains proud of everything the Royals accomplished during his time on the team. From the first playoff game in 18 years in 2022, to hosting a playoff game this year, Swanda has seen many “firsts.” 

“What I love is I get to leave the program knowing that these guys have more firsts to go,” Swanda said. “And we’re just setting the table for them to dine, and they’ve got a whole meal to get after.” 

That meal begins next year, after some important rest and offseason futsal, with a new group hungry to build on the unprecedented success of the 2024 team.