NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College women's soccer team battled Bethel and the elements in a 2-0 defeat on Monday.

The wind played a significant factor throughout the game, as gusts over 30 MPH kept the play on one side of the field for much of the game.

The Royals played with the wind at their backs in the first half, and immediately took advantage on a Maria Retting goal just 33 seconds after the opening whistle.

The Knights did a good job the rest of the first half limiting BU to only one more goal with the wind, and looked to take advantage of the elements in the second half.

MLC had chances in the second half, but Jenna Maurer, Alyssa Maertz and Abby Enstad each had good opportunities blocked or saved by the BU keeper as the Royals were able to keep a clean sheet and earn the two-goal win.

Julia Barthels stopped 12 of the 14 shots she faced in the game for MLC, while Maertz led the team with three shots.

Bethel improved its record to 6-1-1 on the season with the win. MLC fell to 2-6 in defeat.

The Knights will return to action on Wednesday, September 28, when they host Buena Vista in a game scheduled to start at 2 p.m.