Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. - Two games, 125 minutes of play, and just three goals total between the two teams. For the second consecutive game, the Bethel Royals and Gustavus Gusties played an all-out fast, physical, and very intense battle, but the result was not as favorable for the Royals this afternoon as they lost to the #6 team in the nation by a final score of 1-0.

The two teams skated to a scoreless tie for the first 45 minutes of game time as a result of great hustle on the part of Bethel's defense. Then, finally, at the 5:04 mark of the final period, Mari Gunderson passed from behind the Bethel net to find Jessica Doig who then put it in the lower right corner of the goal for the only scoring of the game.

Bethel's chances to score were few, but they kept constant pressure on Gustavus goalie Emily Klatt. One of the best chances the Royals had to score was when Bethany Murphy-Aultman (Sr., Grand Rapids, Minn.) broke free from the penalty box to pick up a loose puck in the Gustavus zone, creating a one-on-one situation. However, Bethel's all-time leading scorer was unable to put the puck past Emily Klatt, and the Royals remained scoreless.

Three-time All-MIAC goalie Beth Spurrier (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) stopped 43 of the 44 shots off of Gustavus sticks. Spurrier has allowed just two goals in Bethel's last three games and is among the top three goalies in the conference in save percentage.

The loss drops Bethel to 3-5-1 overall and 3-2-1 in the conference, while Gustavus improves to 6-1-1 overall and 5-0-1 in the MIAC. The Royals are scheduled to return to the ice next Tuesday night when they face off against UW-River Falls in Wisconsin at 7:05 p.m.