Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. - For the better part of tonight's game the Bethel Royals hung with the #2 team in the nation in Gustavus Adolphus. However, a pair of quick goals early in the third period led to an eventual 3-1 loss for the hosting Royals in the non-conference match-up.

Bethel, playing in their first game since returning from a week-long European trip, started Nicole Jones (Fr., Mora, Minn.) in front of the net, and she lived up to the challenge mightily. Jones stopped 35 of the Gusties 38 shots including their first 31 attempts. Gustavus finally slipped one past her at 1:14 into the third period, and then tacked on another roughly two and a half minutes later.

Down, but not out, the Royals finally got on the scoreboard just over six minutes into the final period when Mikaela Mahoney (Fr., Buffalo, Minn.) broke free and went top shelf for her second goal of the season - a shorthanded goal - to cut the Bethel defecit in half. Unfortunately, the Gusties added an insurance goal at the 18:20 mark of the third period to make the score 3-1, where it would stay.

The Royals played fast and aggressive against a fast and aggressive Gustie team, thwarting several of their scoring opportunities. Bethel's penalty kill team limited Gustavus to just one power play goal in nine chances.

The loss drops Bethel to 3-6-1 overall, but has no bearing on the conference standings. Gustavus improves to 8-1-1 with the win. The Royals are scheduled to return to their home ice next Monday at 3 p.m. for a rare weekday afternoon game against Plymouth State.