By Sophia Miller
Stillwater Ponies Football: Early Up and Downs
The Stillwater Ponies are 1-2 so far in the 6A Metro East football conference, with a 1-0 record at home but two losses on the road. Their Week 1 opener saw a shutout loss against Maple Grove, followed by a convincing 35-6 win at home over Park High School. Most recently, they fell 22-9 at Shakopee. The next matchup is Homecoming, as the Ponies host Mounds View on September 25.
The upcoming schedule includes special event nights: Park High’s return visit doubles as VAA Night, and Woodbury’s trip in October is paired with the Ponies’ Tackle Cancer & Parent Night. Senior Night is set for October 14 versus East Ridge. The regular season wraps up October 23 at Forest Lake.
MIAC Spotlight: Bethel & Saint John’s Rivalry Intensifies
Bethel University is having a mixed start to their fall season. Their men’s soccer team was shut out 6-0 by No. 20 Saint John’s in their MIAC opener, as Saint John’s improved to a perfect 7-0 overall. That performance marked Saint John’s biggest win over Bethel in recent years. League play is just getting underway.
Over the winter, Bethel’s Royals saw some highs. The men’s basketball team ended their season with a .500 conference record, including an 81-63 win over Saint John’s that snapped a long losing streak against their rival. Their men’s hockey squad also made it to the MIAC Semifinals, though they fell 4-1 to Saint John’s in the postseason. Those performances show competitive resolve heading into this year.
What to Watch Next
- If Stillwater rejuvenates momentum at home during key matchups, especially during Homecoming and special event nights, it could shift their season’s trajectory.
- On the college side, Saint John’s is off to a hot start in soccer—betting on their strong chemistry and scoring depth. Bethel will need to respond quickly in MIAC if they want to stay in contention.
- Matches that pit Bethel vs. Saint John’s will carry extra weight—not just for standings, but for recruiting energy and community buzz.
As fall sports settle in, the stories are developing fast in Stillwater—new rivalries, community traditions, and teams pushing for consistency. Stay tuned.