BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team gave a spirited effort that resulted in a 2-2 tie with the No. 3-ranked University of St. Thomas Friday night. Three of the games four goals were scored in the first period with Bethel scoring the last two to take a 2-1 lead. The game would remain at that score until UST scored a power play goal early in the third period. The tie is the second consecutive game ending in a tie for the Royals, both coming at home.

St. Thomas scored the games first goal just 4:33 into the contest. Bethel responded though when Erin Harper was able to get the puck up into the attacking zone and Abby Larson dropped a great pass to Kirsten Olson who finished, tying the game at 1-1. It was the second goal of the season Olson, a freshman from Buffalo, Minnesota. Just under two minutes later, at 15:44 in the first, Hadley Cookson put the Royals up 2-1 with a score on assists from Megan O'Brian and Wendy Roberts. The score would remain at 2-1 all the way into the third period as Bethel goalie Maggie Straka was once again outstanding in net for the Royals. Straka would make 36 saves in all for Bethel. The Tommies took advantage of a hooking penalty on Bethel early in the third period and scored on the ensuing power play to tie the game at 2-2. Despite chances, neither team could score the rest of the way and in the five-minute overtime period.

The tie keeps Bethel in fourth place with four points at 1-0-2, ahead of the Tommies who are now 1-1-1 with three points in the MIAC. The two teams will play again Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the St. Thomas Ice Arena.