MOORHEAD, Minn.—Bethel University's women's hockey team was able to take a deep breath Saturday afternoon, as the Royals scored the go-ahead goal against Concordia College with under five minutes remaining in the game and an empty-netter in the final 20 seconds to secure their first conference win of the season. The 4-2 triumph over the Cobbers improved BU's record to 4-3-1 on the year and 1-2-1 in MIAC play.
 
After dropping last night's highly-contested 2-3 decision in Moorhead, Bethel wasn't very excited to give up the game's first goal in the opening minute of play to the Cobbers. Lindsay Burman had the answer, however, scoring the equalizer with under seven minutes to play in the second period off of an Erin Harper Pass.
 
With both teams knotted at one, Briita Nelson put the Royals ahead 2-1 four minutes into the third period. Nelson lit the lamp thanks to an assist from Megan Niblock, but the lead lasted for just over three minutes. Concordia scored on the power play with 13 minutes to go, evening the game at two apiece.
 
Nelson wasn't done, though. She tallied the game-winner with 4:39 left in the game off of a Kalie Johnson pass that put Bethel ahead for good 3-2. Kathryn Larson then put the game away with an empty-net goal in the final 15 seconds of the contest.
 
The Royals outshot the Cobbers 21-13 throughout the Saturday matinee and it was Bethel's Maggie Straka that came away with the win in net thanks to 11 saves.
 
Not only was the third period an exception when it came to goals, but it was also an anomaly for penalties as well. Seven penalties were whistled in the final frame, opposed to a combined-four in the first two periods.
 
Bethel takes next week off during Thanksgiving break and returns to action the next Friday, when they travel to Hamline University to face the Pipers in the first of two matchups throughout the weekend. Following their contest in St. Paul, the two teams will then collide Saturday at the National Sports Center with the puck dropping at 2 p.m on December 6th.