BOX SCORE
MINNEAPOLIS – Cristina Masten (So., Fergus Falls, Minn.) found the net three minutes into the five-minute overtime period, sending the Royals home with a 3-2 victory over St. Catherine University. The overtime goal not only gives BU the win, but helps Bethel record its first two-game win-streak since the first week in December, and pushes the Royals into a more comfortable position to make theplayoffs.
Anna Carlson (Sr., Roseville, Minn.) started the afternoon matinee off right with her third goal of the year, scoring on an unassisted goal 18 minutes into the first frame. Carlson's five-on-five goal gave the Royals the 1-0 lead going into the locker room, however, SCU's Megan Killmer posted a goal almost 20 minutes later, evening the game at one.
With huge playoff implications riding on the outcome of today's game, each team picked up its intensity in the third period. Bethel struck first, scoring just under 17 minutes into the final frame on a power play goal by Masten that gave BU the 2-1 advantage with only three minutes to play. Masten's gem was assisted by Biz Huss (Jr., Beaver Bay, Minn.) and Rachael Geng (Sr., South Saint Paul, Minn.), ironically, as Masten and Huss connected in last night's second BU goal. The Wildcats responded, however,manufacturing the equalizer 38 seconds later that forced an overtime period.
In the five-minute frame, Masten hit her second goal of the contest on a Rachael Geng and Anna Carlson assist. It was Geng's second assist of the competition. She and Carlson have combined for 30 assists thus far in 2011-12.
The Royals now move to 8-7-2 on the year and 6-4-0 in the conference, helping BU move to third place in the conference behind Concordia (Moorhead) and Gustavus Adolphus. Bethel will host St. Thomas next Friday in the weekend double-header at 7 p.m. in Bethel University Arena.
