Box Score MANKATO, Minn. – The Bethany Lutheran women's soccer team played host to Gustavus for their home opener on Wednesday afternoon and fell by a score of 4-1. With the loss, the Vikings fall to 1-1-1 overall, while the Gusties move to 2-1-0.

"Ultimately, I feel like the girls are working hard to implement the things we're asking them to," said Head Coach Emma Morris. "We're proud of the girls' heart and passion and that's two games in a row where we've gone up early and that' something we didn't do much last year. We still have things to work on, but proud of the effort."

It was a windy day out at Scheels Field and the Vikings had to play into the teeth of the wind offensively in the first half but that didn't stop them from striking first. Mia Johnson got free outside the box and played a perfect through ball to Ashley Casper who was able to touch it by the Gustie keeper for the 1-0 lead. Gustavus used the wind in their favor the rest of the half though, controling possession and keeping the Vikings at bay.

Brooke Wolanin was stout in net as well in the first 45, making a few saves early to preserve the lead. It was in the 28^th minute that Gustavus netted the equalizer, as they got free up the right-hand side and made the extra pass when the defense committed for a well-played goal and to tie things at one. Wolanin stayed strong in net the rest of the half though as the teams headed to the break even at 1-1.

The Bethany attack was much stronger in the second half, but it also pushed the team forward and gave Gustavus some counterattack opportunities that they took advantage of. They would get a goal in the 52^nd minute before an unfortunate bounce in the 57^th minute awarded them another goal. With less than six minutes the play, the Gusties would sneak one more goal past Wolanin for the 4-1 win.

Wolanin made eight saves in the contest, while the Vikings put six shots on net with three coming from Casper.

The Vikings are next in action on Saturday when they host Augsburg in a 1 p.m. contest