Game Summary

WINONA, Minn. — Chris Dembiec was hoping Tuesday would be the day — the day the losing streak would end and the offense would finally erupt..

It was.

Problem was, it was Bethel that snapped its four-game losing streak, erupting for three first-half goals en route to a 4-2 victory over the Saint Mary's University men's soccer team at Ochrymowycz Field.

"It's frustrating, because I really felt like we were ready to break out of this thing," said Dembiec, whose team dropped its season-high fifth straight and has been outscored 14-4 during that stretch. "We've been struggling so much lately, it just seems to keep going from bad to worse."

SMU actually go on the board first against the Royals, as James Kuhnle (Burlington, Wis.) netted the first of his two goals on the day at the 26-minute mark.

Unfortunately, by the time Kuhnle completed his first career two-game — with 47 seconds remaining in regulation — the Royals had scored four times to put the game out of reach.

"It's the same old story — we put ourselves in a deep hole and couldn't dig out," said Dembiec. "Defensively, we did not play well — we gave (Bethel) four goals, they certainly didn't earn them."

With the loss, the Cardinals close out their MIAC schedule with a 1-9-0 record. SMU concludes its season on Sunday, playing host to UW-Whitewater in a nonconference game.

"It would be great for us to close out the season on the high note," said Dembiec. "I expect this team to go out and play hard, have some fun and enjoy their final game of the season."