EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The Bethel University women's hockey team put up five goals for the second consecutive night against the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds in a 5-2 victory to sweep the series. The change in venue to the Blugolds home ice in Eau Claire did not slow the Royals down as once again four different Royals scored goals and seven tallied points on the night. Megan O'Brian scored twice for Bethel.

Kathryn Larson scored the Royals last two goals Friday night and picked up the scoring Saturday with Bethel's first goal at 13:55 in the first period. Caroline Kivisto and Lindsay Asmus (Burman) assisted. Early in the second Megan O'Brian scored her first goal with help from Kalie Johnson and Briita Nelson. Freshman Natalie Simons scored her first collegiate goal midway through the second period to stretch the Royals lead to 3-0. Larson and Kivisto both assisted Simons. The Blugolds then fought back with a pair of goals before the period was over to pull within 3-2 heading into the final period.

Bethel wasted little time in rebuilding their lead as Kivisto scored just 2:45 into the third period with Asmus assisting. O'Brian finished the Blugolds off with another goal at 15:05 in the third for the 5-2 final. Johnson and Nelson were the assisters.
Freshman goalie Maggie Straka got the start in the net and made 8 saves. The Royals outshot UWEC 39-10 on the night and a combined 74-21 in the two games.

Next up for the Royals will be a big early season test when they travel to face the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, who are ranked fourth in the USCHO.com Division III Women's Poll. The Royals and Falcons will face-off Friday night in River Falls and Saturday afternoon in Bethel University Arena at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota.