MINNEAPOLIS – Despite having a two-goal lead in the first period, Bethel University surrendered five unanswered goals to Augsburg College on the road, handing the Royals a 5-3 loss at the Ed Saugestad Rink. BU ended the night on the low end of a 37-27 shots margin and spent 41 minutes in the penalty box, which helped the Auggies capture three of its goals.
Ten minutes into the first period
Jake Kogler (Sr., Forest Lake, Minn.) ratcheted an even-manned goal on a Tyler Sorenson (So., Madison, Wis.) and
Austin Hatch (Sr., Cloquet, Minn.) assist. Sorenson stayed in the mix seven minutes later when scoring his fourth goal of the season unassisted. Yet, the Auggies kept the game close by notching its first goal of the evening 12 seconds later, pushing the BU lead back to one.
Augsburg then scored the equalizer early in the second period, followed by three more on two power play goals and a penalty shot. With six minutes to go
Jack Paul (Jr., Minnetonka, Minn.) cut into the 5-2 Auggie lead with his 11
th goal of the season, minimizing Augsburg's advantage to two. Kogler and
Chris Fiala (Sr., Vadnais Heights, Minn.) each had a hand in Paul's goal. The Royals were unable to compose any more points the rest of the game and finished with a 5-3 loss.
Tyler Sorenson led all BU skaters with five shots throughout the evening affair, to go along with his goal and assist.
Jake Kogler and
Jon Crouse (Jr., Alexandria, Minn.) each had three.
Robby Brown (Fr., Battleboro, Vt.) got the start in the net tonight for Bethel and managed 32 saves, yet allowed the five Auggie goals that sealed BU's fate.
The Royals look to get one back tomorrow night at home as Augsburg comes to Bethel University Arena for a 7 p.m. affair. Despite the loss BU still has a solid chance to make it into to the MIAC playoffs, but will need to take advantage of tomorrow evening's contest.
