Box Score
BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team got a pair of goals from both Cristina Masten and Biz Huss to go along with solid goaltending by Erika Allen in a 4-1 victory over the University of St. Thomas. The Royals scored three goals in the third period to break open a tight game.
 
“That was an outstanding game,” said Royals coach Brian Carlson. “We played three outstanding periods and a great third period.”
With 8:43 gone in the third period Cristina Masten scored her second goal of the game to put the Royals up 2-1. Kalie Johnson and Caroline Kivisto were assisters and responsible for securing possession of the puck and getting it to Masten who got behind the defense and rifled a shot past the UST goalie. Masten then teamed up with Huss for the Royals third goal. After securing the puck behind the Tommie net Masten flipped a pass out to Huss in the middle who knocked it down and fired it in. Huss then added and empty net goal just 40 seconds later at the 16:20 mark for the final 4-1 margin.
 
Masten's first goal came with just six seconds left in the first period on a Royals power play. Huss and Sarah Kartak assisted. The Royals held on to the 1-0 lead until the Tommies converted a five-on-three opportunity into a goal 14:43 into the second period. St. Thomas was 1-4 on power play opportunities, below their season average of 30.4%. Bethel was 1-3 on their power play. Freshman Erika Allen was solid in the net for the Royals as she stopped all but one Tommie shot, making 25 saves, including 13 in the second period.
 
With the win the Royals improved to 6-4-2 in MIAC play and find themselves in fourth place, but have drawn within two points of second place St. Thomas and one point of third place Concordia, while drawing some separation from fifth place St. Catherine (11 pts.). Bethel's next opponent is Augsburg College who is currently tied for last place in the MIAC standings at 2-7-2. The Auggies defeated the Royals, however, in a non-conference matchup 2-1 on January 11. The two teams will face-off Friday in Minneapolis at 7 p.m., and Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m., at the Bethel University Arena.