Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team opened up their season on the wrong end of a 2-1 decision at home to the Marian University Sabres. The Sabres scored the game's first and last goal and held off a furious Bethel rally to hang onto the victory over the Royals.

Marian struck first with the game's first goal near the end of the first period. The Royals, who are looking to replace their top three scorers from last season, got on the board with the first goal of the season by senior Hadley Cookson early in the second period. Wendy Roberts and Erika Geary set Cookson up. The Sabres scored the eventual game winner on a power play 6:48 into the third period. The Royals did not make it easy on Marian however, as they had several great scoring chances in the final minutes. Even when short-handed for the final 30 seconds, Bethel was able to get a pair of final shots off but all were turned away.

Bethel will return to action next Friday night when they host the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire at 7 p.m. in the Bethel University Arena at the National Sports Center in Blaine.