Box Score

NEW ULM, Minn. - When attempting to define Bethel's scoring attack today, only one word comes to mind - relentless.

The Royals took to the road today to take on Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) opponent, Martin Luther College. With an 8-0 shutout of the Knights, it was the second landslide victory Bethel has achieved against a UMAC opponent in the past week.

Bethel scored early and often and did not let up until the clock read all zeros. Sophie Christiansen (Fr., Portland, Ore.) scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal less than three minutes into the game, giving the Royals a 1-0 lead. Christiansen would go on to score another goal and also tally an assist, giving her five points on the day, and 28 in her young career.

But it was Esther Sowles (Sr., Waconia, Minn.) that scored half the team's goals and added an assist for nine points during the game, which is a new team record. Krista Polding (So., Waconia, Minn.) and Brittany Griffore (Fr., Maple Grove, Minn.) also got in on the scoring action for the Royals with one goal apiece. Bethel has now scored 17 goals in their last three games, which is more than the number of goals they scored during the entire season in 2003 and 2004.

Alyssa Riggs (So., Columbia Heights, Minn.) played a majority of the game in front of the net and stopped the one Knight shot that came her way.

The win moves Bethel to 8-6-2 overall, which surpasses their win total from last season, and with just two games left to play, guarantees them at least a .500 overall winning percentage for the first time since 1998. The Royals will also finish this season a perfect 5-0 against Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) teams. Martin Luther falls to 4-10-1 overall with the loss. Bethel is scheduled to return home for their last two games, beginning with a game this Saturday against Concordia-Moorhead at 1 p.m.