BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team took a tough defeat at the hands of the Saint Mary's University Cardinals at home, 2-1 Friday night. The Cardinals scored in the final seconds of a power play with just under two minutes remaining to break a 1-1 tie and take the win.

Saint Mary's scored the first goal of the game 18 seconds into the second period. The 1-0 lead held up, despite several close calls on both ends, until the Royals finally broke through with a power play goal at 13:40 in the third period. Immediately following a timeout, Caroline Kivisto put one in from Erin Harper and give Bethel life. Saint Mary's was awarded a power play of their own with 16:11 remaining and called a timeout of their own. Immediately following the timeout, the Royals looked to take their first lead as Kalie Johnson was able to deflect a pass ahead to Lindsay Burman who took off on a short-handed breakaway. SMU goalie Tori Hermann was able to get her pad on Burman's shot however,  keeping the game tied. The Cardinals were then able to get the puck back on their end and snuck a shot from the point in between the pads of Bethel's Maggie Straka with just 1:57 remaining in the game. Bethel had one good opportunity late when they went on a power play and pulled their goalie for the last 44 seconds but after the initial faceoff and a pass that just disconnected, the Cardinals were able keep the Royals from threatening at all.

Bethel outshot Saint Mary's 18-12 on the night. Maggie Straka made 10 saves for Bethel. The loss drops Bethel to 8-5-1 overall and 3-3-1 in the MIAC while Saint Mary's is now 6-6-2 and 4-2-1.

The two teams will now take to the ice Saturday afternoon in Winona, Minnesota at 2 p.m. The Royals will be looking for their first victory on the Cardinals home ice since the 2009-10 season.