Box Score BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team, and freshman goalie Erika Allen, put up a valiant effort against the #6 University of Wisconsin-River Falls Falcons but fell 2-0 in a Wednesday night matchup. Allen made 43 saves for the Royals but a pair of goals within the first minute of the second period proved to be too much. Bethel had some good scoring chances but were unable to capitalize and were drastically outshot in the game, 45-12.
 
“We played a really good team and the kids worked hard,” Royals coach Brian Carlson said. “Erika was outstanding in the net but we had difficulty getting enough shots. We had some solid scoring chances but weren't able to get any to go and a little bit of penalty trouble hurt us.”
 
The Falcons started the second period with a flurry, registering two goals within 14 seconds of each other. Chloe Kinsel scored her tenth goal of the season just 42 seconds in and Katie Batters scored her ninth goal 56 seconds in. For the remainder of the contest Allen stopped every Falcon scoring threat, including several breakaway opportunities for UW-River Falls, keeping the Royals within striking distance. Both Cristina Masten and Biz Huss nailed the pipe in the third period as the Royals attempted to make a comeback but the Falcons swarming defense made it difficult for the Royals to string consecutive shots together. Bethel was whistled for five penalties and the Falcons had over 10 minutes on the power play but came up empty. Conversely, the Royals had just under eight minutes of power play chances and were able to get off just five shots.
 
With the loss Bethel falls to 6-6-1 on the year and will look to get back in the win column when they host St. Olaf College in a critical Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) matchup. The Royals and Oles are currently in a three-way tie for third place with Concordia. The UW-River Falls Falcons improved to 10-4-2 on the season.