MIAC Release

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) announced the 2008-2009 MIAC Women's Hockey Awards today, February 26, 2009.  Bethel University was represented by four seniors and two freshmen in the awards.  Forwards Bethany Murphy-Aultman (Sr., Grand Rapids, Minn.) and Sandra Felten (Sr., Cashton, Wis.), goalie Beth Spurrier (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.), and defenseman Anna Carlson (Fr., Roseville, Minn.) were awarded All-MIAC Honors. Rachael Geng (Fr., South St. Paul, Minn.) earned All-MIAC Honorable Mention.  Along with All-MIAC Honors, Carlson was named to the All-Rookie Team and Head Coach Charlie Burggraf has been named the MIAC's Coach of the Year.

As part of a conference-wide sportsmanship initiative, the MIAC announced the third annual All-MIAC Sportsmanship team for women's hockey. Members of the All-MIAC Sportsmanship team are selected by their coaches and teammates as individuals who demonstrate ideals of positive sportsmanship both on and off the field of competition. Anna Baumgarten (Sr., Elmhurst, Ill.) was named as Bethel's representative to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship team.

Over her four seasons, Murphy-Aultman has been a integral part of the development and progress of the women's hockey program at Bethel.  Receiving All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors her freshman year and All-Conference honors her sophomore and junior years, her all-conference award this year caps off a career that has has seen All-MIAC honors every season of play. Murphy-Aultman led the conference in points last season and along with an additional 25 points, off 12 goals and 13 assists this season, Murphy-Aultman reached the 100 point mark of her career during a home game against St. Olaf on February 6, to become Bethel's first ever 100-point player in the 10-year history of the program.


Felten finished the regular season with 18 points on 7 goals and 11 assists. Her tenacity and playmaking ability helped propel the Royals to a third place finish in the conference and a playoff berth for the third time in her four seasons. Felten led the Royals with five power play goals this season and was second on the team in total goals. She became Bethel's second player to the career 90-point mark with a goal against St. Catherine on February 13.  This is Felten's second consecutive All-MIAC first team award. She was an All-MIAC Honorable Mention recipient her sophomore season.



Spurrier finishes her Royal career being named an All-MIAC first team athlete each of her four seasons. The senior goaltender finished the regular season with a .941 save percentage while only allowing 1.68 goals per game. With her name already firmly etched in Bethel's record book in several categories, her three shutouts this season now give her 14 in her career at Bethel. Spurrier was twice named Women's Hockey MIAC Athlete of the Week this season for her strong play against nationally ranked opponents, including a shut out of #6 St. Thomas, and the team's first ever point against #1 Gustavus.



As a freshman, Carlson played a dynamic role in helping Bethel reach the playoffs this season. Thanks to her performance on the ice, Carlson received first team All-MIAC honors by leading all MIAC defenders in scoring with 21 points on three goals and 18 assists. That total was also good for third in the nation among defenders and 12th in the nation among first year players. She was also among the top six point scorers in conference play with 17 points as she averaged 1.00 points per game. Carlson has also been named to the MIAC All-Rookie Team for her outstanding play manning the blue line this season.



Geng, another first year Royal defender, received All-MIAC Honorable Mention for her play this season. Geng finished the year with three goals and seven assists. She tied for the lead in shorthanded points during conference play with a goal and an assist, and was in the top 10 for defenseman scoring.







For the second time in three seasons, Baumgarten has been named Bethel's representative to the MIAC's All-Sportsmanship team. As a center, she has helped provide high intensity play up front for the Royals in each of her four seasons. Her constant hustle and determination to be play maker is an inspiration to her teammates and she is a leader both on and off the ice. Baumgarten scored just two goals this season, but they were both game-winning goals against conference opponents, helping Bethel to earn its best overall and conference record in the team's 10-year history.



Coach Burggraf has been named the MIAC Women's Hockey Coach of the Year for the first time in his three seasons with the team. Burggraf has led the Royals to two playoff appearances in that time and has helped the team earn two consecutive seasons of 11 wins and it's second season of 10 conference wins. Bethel's third place finish this year ties a team best set in the 2005-06 season.