Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. - The Royals just can't seem to catch a break. For the second week in a row, Bethel has gone into overtime with an opponent, only to come up on the short end in the sudden death extra period. Tonight, it was a goal by UW-Eau Claire with 1:03 remaining that was Bethel's undoing.

The Royals struck first, scoring at 13:22 into the first period. Mikaela Mahoney (Fr., Buffalo, Minn.) scored her first collegiate goal on a power play with the help of Kassy Sullivan (So., Roseville, Minn.) and Anna Carlson (Fr., Roseville, Minn.).

It wasn't until 10:49 into the second period that the Blugolds answered. That's when Shannon Nelson connected with Lynne Erspamer to tie the game at 1-1. With just 1:54 remaining in the period, UW-Eau Claire took the lead when Toni Simones scored a shorthanded goal with the help of Lauren Havard and Kristin Faber.

But the game was far from over. With less than five minutes remaining in the third period, the Royals capitalized on another power play opportunity when Rachael Geng (Fr., South St. Paul, Minn.) scored on a beautiful pass from Jenna Bullock (Jr., Buffalo, Minn.) to even the score at 2-2.

Neither team scored again before the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime. Coming off of a pass from Christine Dickins, Lauren Havard of UW-Eau Claire broke free and raced the puck down the left side of the rink and snuck it past Beth Spurrier (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) for the game-winner. Spurrier recorded 30 saves on the night, while the Blugolds Morgan Pieper had 27.

Bethel had other scoring opportunities and on more than one occasion fired a flury of shots in front of the UW-Eau Claire net, but to no avail.

The loss sets Bethel back to 0-3 overall, while UW-Eau Claire improves to 3-1 on their season. The Royals are scheduled to open up conference play when they take on Augsburg away in Minneapolis at 7:05 p.m. next Friday night for their next game.