Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. - The Bethel Royals are officially past the halfway mark of the conference season, and things are looking pretty good at the moment. Today's 4-0 win over the visiting Hamline Pipers boosts Bethel's record to 6-2-2 in the MIAC with eight games left to play.

The Royals wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Allison Papko (So., Winnipeg, Manitoba) notched her fourth goal of the season just 1:09 into the first period. Olivia Paulseth (Fr., Duluth, Minn.) and Kassy Sullivan (So., Roseville, Minn.) got credit for the assists, which means Sullivan has scored at least one point in her last five games.

Bethel's penalty kill defense had to be in top form as the Royals incurred four first period penalties, and then an additional three penalties in the second period, followed by two more in the third period for a grand total of nine. However, it was while Bethel was on the power play that they added to their lead in the second period. Paulseth scored her fifth goal of the season at 13:02 with the help of Sandra Felten (Sr., Cashton, Wis.) as the two passed back and forth before slamming it home into the net.

Felten garnered her second assist of the game just 50 seconds later when she and Anna Carlson (Fr., Roseville, Minn.) fed the puck to Kelsea Martalock (So., Tomah, Wis.) so she could score her second goal in as many games.

Bethel continued to play solid defense, frustrating Hamline's offense by out-hustling them, especially playing with a skater disadvantage. In fact, there were penalties when Bethel had more shots on goal than Hamline, despite being shorthanded.

The Royals added one more goal in the third period with just 55 seconds remaining when Jenna Bullock (Jr., Buffalo, Minn.) scored with the help of Carlson and Misty Pirus (So., Elmhurst, Ill.). For Carlson, it was her 15th assist on the season, which leads the conference at the moment.

Three-time All-MIAC goalie Beth Spurrier (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) kept a tight lid on the goal, stopping each of the 30 shots that the Pipers fired at her. The shutout is her second of the season, and the 13th of her career, which is second best among active MIAC goalies.

Bethel's win elevates them to 7-6-3 overall, while Hamline drops to 6-10-1 overall and 2-7-1 in the conference. The Royals are scheduled to stay at home and face off against Saint Mary's next Friday night at 7 p.m. for their next game.