Box Score
RIVER FALLS, Wis. - The Bethel University women's hockey team is playing some great hockey right now. Last weekend, they took the Gustavus Gusties, the #6 team in the nation, down two pegs in the USCHO.com poll by becoming the first MIAC team to earn a point in the conference standings against them since February of 2007 with a 1-1 tie. Tonight, the Royals again took on the #6 team in the nation in UW-River Falls, and once again, they held their own and came away with a tie.
The Royals have a history of playing tough against the UW-River Falls Falcons, and tonight was no exception. Although the Falcons scored first at the 12:13 mark of the first period on a power play, the Royals came back strong in the second period by scoring twice.
Allison Papko (So., Winnipeg, Manitoba) scored her second goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1 less than four minutes into the middle period. She was assisted by
Rachael Geng (Fr., So. St. Paul, Minn.) and
Anna Carlson (Fr., Roseville, Minn.). With her seven season points, Carlson is among the top freshmen scorers in the MIAC.
The Falcons picked up another goal with just over four minutes remaining in the second period to go up 2-1, but their lead would be short-lived. The Royals dug deep and showed their resilience by scoring at the 19:32 mark of the period to even the score. The tandem of
Bethany Murphy-Aultman (Sr., Grand Rapids, Minn.) and
Sandra Felten (Sr., Cashton, Wis.), who have accounted for half of Bethel's goals this season, connected once again with Aultman-Murphy lighting the lamp after the feed from Felten.
The score would remain 2-2 throughout the third period, forcing overtime. Tonight marked the fifth overtime game for the Royals this season, just 10 games into their schedule. Previously, the extra period had not been kind to Bethel as they lost heartbreakers to Adrian, UW-Eau Claire, and Saint Benedict. However, thanks to aggressive defense and solid goaltending by reigning MIAC Athlete of the Week
Beth Spurrier (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.), the Royals have tied earned ties in both of their latest overtime showdowns - both against nationally ranked opponents. Spurrier halted 37 shots on goal, including three in the extra period to preserve the tie. Bethel's sticks fired off 33 shots on goal forcing Falcons' goaltender Melissa Deardorff to earn her keep.
With the tie, Bethel is now 3-5-2 overall, while UW-River Falls is now 7-1-1. The Royals are scheduled to remain idle until they embark on a trip to Switzerland and Italy where they will play against regional teams before heading back to the United States to resume their hunt for their third playoff berth in the last four seasons. Their next scheduled game is a non-conference match-up against conference opponent Gustavus on Friday, January 9, 2009, beginning at 7 p.m. at Bethel University Arena in Blaine, Minn.
