Box Score MANKATO, Minn. – The Bethany women's soccer team hosted Martin Luther in its conference opener on Saturday and came away with a 1-0 victory. With the win the Vikings move to 2-2-1 overall while the Knights fall to 2-2-1.

"It's great to open conference play with a win," said Head Coach Emma Morris. "We would have liked to have a few more goals on the board, but a wins a win and we'll move forward from it."


 
In the first half of play, the Vikings controlled the pace early on, firing a handful of shots on the Martin Luther keeper. The Knights would challenge Brooke Wolanin twice in the first half, but the junior stood tall and stopped both attempts. Bethany finished the first half with 13 shots total and six on goal but couldn't find the back of the net as the two teams went to the break scoreless.
 
It didn't take long in the second half though for the Vikings to net the eventual game-winner. Less than three minutes in, the Vikings were awarded a corner kick and Asia Jota played a perfect ball to the center of the box that Olaitz Azkue was able to head one over the Knight goalkeeper to give the home team a 1-0 advantage. The Knights would get some attacking in late but Wolanin was able to find them off to take the 1-0 victory.
 
In the shutout win, Wolanin fended off eight Martin Luther shots.
 
The Vikings will next be in action Friday when they host UW-Superior for a 2 p.m. contest.