Box Score Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. - Just 20 hours after a disappointing loss to St. Olaf, the Bethel University women's hockey team put on an impressive show against the #10 ranked Concordia Cobbers in a 4-1 non-conference victory. The Royals had a well balanced offensive attack led by Kalie Johnson's two goals and got solid goaltending from senior Jess Newstrom to hand the Cobbers their first loss of the season.

“It was a hard fought game,” said Royals coach Brian Carlson. “There was solid goal tending for both teams and fortunately we were able to knock a few goals in to get a great win.”

The Royals got on the scoreboard first just 4:44 into the first period when freshman Jill Larson (Maple Grove, Minn.) scored her first collegiate goal with assists from Casie Ecklund (Jr., Twig, Minn.) and Erin Harper (Fr., Blaine, Minn.). From in front of the goal Larson redirected the Ecklund shot with her back to the net and into the top left corner near the end of the Royals power play.
“Our power plays are getting better,” Carlson noted.

Concordia evened the game late in the first period when Anna Westmark was able to slide a rebound under the pad of Newstrom off a scrum on the left side of the net. The game would stay tied as both goalies were solid in the second period until the Royals were able to take over in the third period.

Senior Biz Huss was able to line one up on the left wing off a pass from Lindsay Burman (Jr.,Stanchfield, Minn.) for the eventual game winner. From there sophomore Kali Johnson (Richfield, Minn.) stole the show as she scored the Royals next two goals. The first goal came at 11:52 when Johnson was able to knock a rebound into an open back side of the net after the Royals had missed two great similar opportunities earlier in the game. Her final goal came against an open net with under 30 seconds to play.
Senior Jess Newstrom (Cambridge, Minn.) was a wall for the Royals in the net and especially locked the Cobbers down after the Royals took the lead, as she made several great saves to allow Bethel to build momentum. For the game Newstrom made 29 saves.

The Royals will look to knock off another nationally ranked team when the open up MIAC play next Friday night at #3 Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. The defending MIAC champion Gusties and Royals will then square off at the Bethel University Arena Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.