By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University women's soccer team entered Saturday's showdown against Bethel with its offense humming on all cylinders.
 
Scoring eight goals in their previous contest will do that to a team.
 
The Royals — with an assist from Mother Nature ­— threw a monkey wrench into that well-oiled machine, silencing Saint Mary's offense in dealing the Cardinals a 4-0 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference setback at Ochrymowycz Field.
 
In a game played in below freezing temperatures with a constant rain-snow mix falling, the Royals heated their offense up early.
 
Caia Helgemo opened the scoring just 11 minutes into the opening half and, 20 minutes later, Rachel Waterman found the back of the net to give the Royals a 2-0 lead heading into the break.
 
And, unfortunately for the Cardinals, the intermission did nothing to cool off the Royals, as Bethel added goals by Helgemo and Claire Radatz to seal the victory.
 
Alexis Nguyen (West Corvina, Calif.) — making her first collegiate start in goal — finished with four saves, while Bethel goalkeeper Kaylee Peterson stopped all three Saint Mary's shots on goal in earning the shutout.
 
The Cardinals (0-6-0 MIAC, 6-6-0 overall) hit the road on Tuesday, heading to Northfield, Minn., for a 3:30 p.m. MIAC contest against Carleton. The Royals 4-2-0 MIAC, 10-2-0 overall) are back on the road on Tuesday, traveling to St. Peter, Minn., to take on Gustavus in a 3:30 p.m. conference showdown.