BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team came out of the gate strong Friday night, opening their season with a convincing 5-0 win over the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The Royals had four different players score goals and nine different players tallied points on the night. Meanwhile freshman goaltender Michelle Klimstra posted a shutout in her first collegiate game, making 11 saves, including eight in the final period.

Freshman Wendy Roberts scored the first goal of the season for the Royals 8:48 into the first period. Natalie Simons and Hadley Cookson, a transfer from UWEC, assisted Roberts who is wearing number 24. Royals fans have grown accustom to seeing number 24 for Bethel put the puck in the net as that was the number worn for four years by Cristina Masten who wrapped up her career last season as Bethel's all-time leading scorer. Roberts picked up right where Masten left off with the Royals first goal. Another familiar sight for Bethel fans is Lindsay Burman using her blazing speed to create goals for the Royals. While still possessing the same speed and skill, this year however she is Lindsay Asmus, and she scored the Royals second goal of the season at 14:33 in the first period. Caroline Kivisto and Kathryn Larson were the assisters giving the Royals a 2-0 lead after the first period. Bethel dominated the period, outshooting the Blugolds 14-1.

The second period was much the same as the Royals continued to have their way offensively as they put up 14 more shots while UWEC managed just two. Megan O'Brian scored just 1:19 into the period with an assist by Kalie Johnson. Just over a minute later Kathryn Larson got in on the scoring action as she put one home from Lauren Kolak. Larson finished off the scoring with her second goal of the game early on in the third period. Kivisto and Burman assisted Larson.

The Royals will look to make it a season opening sweep Saturday as they head to Eau Claire. The puck will drop at 7 p.m. at the Hobbs Ice Center in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Live stats can be found here.