Game Summary

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — Saint Mary's University women's soccer coach Dan Blank knew that this season was going to be an uphill climb.

After all, not only did he lose his four-year All-American goalkeeper and two other seniors to graduation, he also had to replace eight players who did not return to the team.

But even with virtually an entirely new lineup, Blank could never have envisioned the climb that awaited his Cardinals.

Forget climbing the MIAC ladder, SMU was up against Mount Everest.

And Mount Everest won, hands down.

The Cardinals saw their season-ending losing streak climb to 13 games Saturday afternoon, as Bethel cruised to a 4-0 MIAC victory.

Becky Butters did the majority of the damage for the Royals (3-8-0 MIAC, 8-9-0 overall), scoring the game's first three goals — two in the first half and the third midway through the second. Lindsay Heiligenthal rounded out the scoring, beating SMU goalie Emily Strom (Waterford, Wis.) at the 78:58 mark.

Strom finished with eight saves for the Cardinals, who managed just one shot on goal. It was the fifth straight shutout loss for SMU (0-11-0 MIAC, 1-17-0 overall), which scored just two goals all season.