Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team and senior captain Cristina Masten closed out the 2013 portion of their schedule in style with a 4-1 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Masten sealed the Royals win with a signature goal with just 1:12 remaining in the game to become Bethel's new all-time leading scorer with 106 career points. The senior from Fergus Falls, Minn. moved ahead of Bethany Murphy-Aultman (2006-2009) with two assists and the goal on the day.

"Cristina has had a fabulous career, which is certainly not yet over," said Royals head coach Brian Carlson. "She has played with a lot of great players during her career and is the definition of a scorer."

After a scoreless first period the Royals offense exploded for three goals in the second period. Just over five minutes into the second period Kalie Johnson, the MIAC assist leader, sent an outlet pass to Masten to creat a two-on-one break. Masten then dumped the puck behind her to Megan O'Brian who put it home to give Bethel the 1-0 lead. The Blugolds were able to tie the game up at 1-1 at the 13:26 mark of the second period. The Royals took command of the game, however just a minute a half later with the first of two goals within less than a minute of each other. A power play goal by O'Brian with assists by Johnson and Masten broke the tie before Caroline Kivisto scored just 46 seconds later. Kathryn Larson and Lindsay Burman assisted on Kivisto's goal.

With just over a minute remaining Masten jumped on the ice and promptly took control of the puck, skated around the defense to the right side of the net and fired it in the top corner to break the all-time record in dramatic fashion following several near misses throughout the third period. Kalie Johnson assisted Masten, her 12th assist of the season, which is three more than any other non-Bethel player in the MIAC.

Caitlin Dantszcher made her second start of the season in the net for Bethel and was solid once again. She made 17 saves in the first two periods and 18 for the game to record her first collegiate win.

The win gives Bethel an outstanding 8-2-1 record for the first portion of the 2013-14 season as they head into the semester break. The four goals scored today marks the seventh time the Royals have scored four or more goals in their 11 games. Bethel players cover the MIAC scoring leaders board. Masten leads the MIAC in scoring with 18 points while ranking third in goals (8) and second in assists (10). Johnson is second in scoring at 16 points while leading in assists (12). Caroline Kivisto is third in scoring with 15 points and leads the MIAC with 10 goals scored. Lindsay Burman is the conferences fifth leading scorer at 13 points and is tied for third in assists with Gustavus Amanda Cartony with nine assists, behind Johnson and Masten. Kathryn Larson is fifth in the league with six assists. Not to be forgotten, goalie Erika Allen ranks fourth in goals against average (1.90), save percentage (.920) and saves (196) while having the third highest winning percentage (.778).

The Royals will return to the ice on January 10th and 11th with their final non-conference series at Lake Forest (Ill.) College. The following weekend Bethel will return to MIAC play against Saint Mary's University.