Box Score

RIVER FALLS, Wis.- Bethel University's Benoit Duhamel's goal at 11:48 of the third period was the difference as the Royals took a 2-1 win over the Falcons in a NCAA first round playoff game on Wednesday night at Hunt Arena.

The Falcons jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period when Joe Adams scored his first goal of the season with a snap shot from 20 feet in front of the BU goal. He was assisted by Cory Baldwin and Jared Sailer. Despite UWRF's quick start, BU out shot the Falcons, 14-7, in the first period.

It didn't take the Royals long to tie the game in the second period. Just 30 seconds into the second stanza Bill Menozzi scored his third goal of the year with an assist to Pat Dynan. Ten penalties were called in the period. BU was 0-3, and the Falcons were 0-2, with the man advantage. BU out shot the Falcons again - this time 11-8.

The Royals took a 2-1 lead at 11:48 of the third period when Duhamel scored his eighth goal of the season. He pounced on a rebound off a shot by Jon Kovacs to score from 15 feet out. The Falcons held a 15-13 advantage in shots in the period.

Both teams took eight minor penalties in the game and both teams finished 0-4 on the power play. BU had a 38-30 advantage in shots.

BU goalie Aaron Damjanovich made 29 saves and UWRF goalie AJ Bucchino stopped 36 shots. Damjanovich is now 13-5-1 and Bucchino is 21-6-2.

Bethel, now 17-9-1 overall, will play at St. Norbert on Saturday in a NCAA quarterfinal game. The Falcons end their season with a 21-6-2 record.