Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team won their fifth game in a row Saturday afternoon with a solid all-around performance in a 6-1 victory over the College of Saint Benedict. The Royals scored three goals each in the first and third periods. Cristina Masten continued her hot scoring streak with a pair of goals and an assist while two Royals scored their first goals of the season in senior Sarah Kartak and freshman Alyssa Franz, her first collegiate goal. Senior Jess Newstrom got the win in the net for Bethel, making 17 saves.

Melanie Robertson and Caroline Kivisto were the other Royals goal scorers, with both of their goals coming in the first period, sandwiched around Masten's first goal of the game and 16th of the season. A scoreless second period included a period high nine saves for Newstrom. In the third period Kartak scored her goal just 1:14 in. The Blazers got on the board with a goal of their own 31 seconds later. Masten then scored her 17th goal of the year during a Saint Benedict power play. She corralled a loose puck and was able to slip by the first line and then split a pair of defenders and fired a back hand into the top left corner. The goal, to go along with an assist on Kivisto's goal, gives Masten a three point lead in the MIAC scoring race with 28 points. The reigning MIAC Player of the Week has now scored a goal in all five games during the Royals win streak and scored 11 points.

The win keeps the Royals in the thick of the race for second place in the MIAC. Bethel sits just one point behind second place St. Thomas and tied with Concordia for third while being seven points ahead of St. Olaf and St. Catherine. The Royals are 10-4-2 in MIAC play and 13-8-2 overall.

Next Friday Bethel will return to action for their final home game of the season, barring earning a home playoff game, against Saint Mary's at 7 p.m. The two teams then travel to Winona, Minn., for a 4 p.m. start on Saturday.