Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. - The Royals battled through a tough rematch against Saint Mary's but ultimately fell 3-1 to the Cardinals at the Schwan's Super Rink this afternoon.

The Cardinals seemed to want revenge from their loss against the Royals yesterday, as they came out with renewed strength. The first period ended with the Cardinals holding the Royals to only eight shots before they headed to the locker room.

The second period proved to instigate the Royals to venture into the Cardinals territory. Bethel shot 17, yet none hit the back of the net. Unlike yesterday's game, where the Royals were up 2-0 before the third period, the Cardinals had the early upper hand this time with a goal by Erin Stenseth with under a minute left in the second period.

As the Royals skated into the third period, they continued to increase the heat on Saint Mary's goalie. Unfortunately, Stevie Flek for the Cardinals scored for their second time at 11:59. Then, five minutes later, Bethel earned their first goal when Allison Papko (Jr., Winnipeg, Manitoba) found the back of the Cardinals' net during a power play under four minutes left in the third period. Unfortunately, the Cardinals scored an empty net goal with only 30 seconds left to seal Bethel's fate.

The Royals ended the game with 37 shots on goal, while the Cardinals had 30. Paige Lemieux (So., Fargo, N.D.) led the Royals with seven shots on goal. Rachael Geng (So., South St. Paul, Minn.) and Haley Toter (So., Park Ridge, Ill.) followed with five shots on goal.

The Royals fall to 4-9 overall and 4-4 in MIAC play, while the Cardinals increase to 8-6-1 overall and 4-2-1 in MIAC play. Next Friday the Royals are scheduled to face off against St. Olaf at 7 p.m. at St. Olaf.