RIVER FALLS, Wis. – The UW-River Falls men's soccer team returned to the win column Monday evening, defeating the Bethel Royals 3-1 at Ramer Soccer Stadium.
The Falcons improve to 5-4-3 overall with the victory, scoring once in the opening half before adding two more goals after halftime.
Bethel applied pressure early, recording the first four shots of the match, including a pair of chances from Tadeo Magana before Greyson Shiek made his first save of the evening in the 10th minute. Shiek was called upon again in the 17th minute, stopping another Magana attempt, keeping the match scoreless.
The Falcons weathered the early pressure and began finding opportunities of their own with Ravel Martin registering UWRF's first shot in the 22nd minute, while Sean Church added another attempt in the 38th.
River Falls eventually broke through with just over three minutes remaining in the opening half. Carter Eklund helped create the scoring opportunity and found Sam Everakes, who converted at the 41:52 mark to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
Out of the break Hunter Berry nearly doubled the advantage in the 48th minute, sending an attempt off the woodwork, and Oliver Mills followed with another Falcon shot moments later.
The Falcons eventually found their second goal at the 55:25 mark, forcing a Bethel own goal to extend the advantage to 2-0. Bethel responded almost immediately, earning a penalty kick less than a minute later. Magana converted from the spot at 56:06 to cut the UWRF lead to 2-1.
Shiek made three saves during a five-minute stretch midway through the second half, denying Magana, Devin Igl and Nathan Hunt to preserve the one-goal advantage.
River Falls then delivered the insurance goal in the 75th minute. Noah Meschke set up Mauricio Cuevas from deep, who finished the opportunity at 74:35 to restore UWRF's two-goal lead at 3-1.
Eklund put a shot on target in the 78th minute before Mills forced another save in the 82nd. UWRF earned five second-half corner kicks while seeing out the remainder of the match to secure the 3-1 victory.
Shiek turned in a strong performance in goal, playing all 90 minutes and totaled eight saves while allowing just the penalty-kick goal. Bethel held a 29-8 advantage in total shots and put nine attempts on goal, while the Falcons capitalized on their opportunities with three goals.
The Falcons will remain at home for their next matchup, hosting UW-Whitewater on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Ramer Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
