ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - After a hard-fought battle, the University of Dubuque women's soccer team fell to Bethel University on the road Saturday afternoon by a 1-3 score.

After a slow start in the attack, the Spartans were able to capitalize in the 13th minute with their first shot on goal. UD grabbed the early lead when sophomore Emma Kober's shot deflected to the feet of freshman Riley Vondraesek who was able to slot the ball far post from 28 yards out to record her first collegiate goal.

For the next 31 minutes, the Spartan defense denied the Royals opportunities and held them to just two shots on goal. The Royals were able to find the back of the net late in the first half to send the teams into halftime tied at 1-1.

The Spartans started off strong in the opening 10 minutes of the second half with three corners and a strike from distance by senior Jordan Cadena which was saved by the Royals' keeper. The two squads battled defensively back and forth battle in the midfield for a majority of the second half. In the 80th minute, the Spartans created a great opportunity when Kober drove endline in a 1v1 battle and slotted the ball to senior Molly Schiltz who just missed the goal to take the lead.

Despite the intense and physical battle, the Rebels were able to capitalize on two late opportunities in the final minutes of the game to take the lead over the Spartans and give them their first loss of the season with a final score of 3-1. Junior Brooke Brodzinski led the team with four total shots, while Vondraesek and freshman Mya Wesling collected two shots apiece. Cadence Martindale recorded ninety minutes in the goal with five total saves.

The Spartans continue the road schedule on Labor Day, Monday, September 6 when they face Gustavus Adolphus College at 12:00 p.m. in St. Peter, Minn.