WINONA, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team went down to Winona, Minnesota to take on the Saint Mary's University Cardinals and came away with a big 4-2 win the opening game of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. The win for the Royals was the first of the year after scoring just one goal in each of their first three games as they snapped out of their season opening scoring funk. Four different Royals scored goals on the night with four others tallying assists.

Bethel struck first when Hadley Cookson scored on a Royals power play 11:38 into the first period. Megan O'Brian and Erin Harper assisted on the first power play goal of the year for Bethel. SMU was able to tie the game up at 1-1 with a goal at 16:25 in the first. The tie did not last long, however as Bethel regained the lead less than a minute later as Jill Larson scored off a Erika Geary assist. The Royals added to their lead when Caroline Kivisto scored unassisted late in the second period, the only score in the frame. With just under three minutes remaining in the game the Cardinals scored a power play goal to draw within one and give Saint Mary's hope. Bethel freshman Sarina Goos was able to seal the victory though for the Royals with an empty net goal with 34 seconds remaining to give Bethel the 4-2 victory.

Saint Mary's actually outshot Bethel by tow in the game, 29-27 but Michelle Klimstra made 27 saves for the Royals to pick up the win in net. The victory over the Cardinals in Winona was just the fourth in the past decade for Bethel as the Saint Mary's Ice Arena has proven to be a difficult place for the Royals to play. The past two trips have been much more to the Royals liking however as last year Bethel came away with a 7-1 MIAC playoff victory at SMU to go along with Friday nights victory.
The two squads will reunite Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. in Bethel University Arena at the National Sports Center in Blaine.