Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. - Leading from start to finish, the Royals scored five goals in the first two periods, defeating Lindenwood University (Mo.), 5-3.

Kate Wahlin (Fr., Lakeville, Minn.) put Bethel on the scoreboard first with a goal at 10:19 in the opening period, assisted by Biz Huss (Fr., Beaver Bay, Minn.). The Royals notched another goal at 16:34, netted by Paige Lemieux (So., Fargo, N.D.), with the assist going to Molly Eagles (Fr., Falcon Heights, Minn.). Going into the first intermission with a 2-0 lead, the Royals dominated puck possession and led in shots 18 to 7.

Bethel quickly got on the board again, 5:23 into the second period, when Eagles deflected a slap shot from the blue line by Huss past the Lion goalie for a power play goal. Just two minutes later, Steph Van Gilder took a pass from Eagles and slide the puck in the net, putting the Royals up 4-0. At 9:30 in the second period, the Lions were able to answer on the power play, the goal scored by Alexandra Johannson, with the assists going to Shea Crawford and Shannon Murphy. Lindenwood cut the lead to two just before intermission, when Krystal Martin put the puck past the Royal goaltender, assisted by Lisa Moreau and Mandy Dion. However, Bethel would strike back quickly, just 20 seconds later, when Huss found an opening, scoring at 17:22, assisted by Allison Papko (Jr., Winnepeg, Manitoba).

The third period would not be as dramatic, with the Lions scoring one power play goal at the eight minute mark, netted by Dion and the assists given to Martin and Moreau.

For the game, the Royals out shot Lindenwood 43 to 24 and each team was 2-4 on the power play. Bethel goalie Nicole Jones (So., Mora, Minn.) made 21 saves in the 5-3 victory and Papko led the Royals with six shots and a plus-two rating. Johannson and Dion led the Lions with four shots each.

Bethel's victory does not count in the standings, as Lindenwood is a club team. However, Lindenwood falls to 10-1. Next up, the Royals travel to UW-River Falls to face the Falcons, tomorrow afternoon, starting at 2:05 p.m.