BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team completed the series sweep of Saint Benedict Saturday afternoon with a 3-0 victory. The Royals were actually outshot in the game but freshman goalie Michell Klimstra made 26 saves, including 15 in the second period alone, to keep the Blazers off the scoreboard. Kathryn Larson scored Bethel's final two goals while Kalie Johnson scored the first for Bethel.

Johnson's goal eight minutes into the game gave Bethel an early 1-0 lead and also moved the senior into sole possession of third place on Bethel's all-time scoring list with 92 career points. Caroline Kivisto and Briita Nelson assisted Johnson. In the beginning of the second period, Bethel found themselves fighting off a Saint Ben's power play in which they put four shots on goal but Klimstra made several great saves. Bethel then tacked on with Larson's first goal at 7:51 in the second period. Natalie Simons and Lauren Kolak assisted Larson. The MIAC's leading goal scorer then added her second of the game and 16th of the season with forty seconds remaining in the second period. Kivisto and Megan O'Brian assisted Larson. The third period saw Saint Ben's go on two more power plays but they were unable to put any shots on goal. For the game, both teams came up empty on power plays as Bethel was 0-4 and Saint Ben's 0-5.

The win keeps the Royals in fifth place in the conference standings, clinging to the final playoff spot heading into the last weekend of the regular season. The Royals will take on Gustavus, who has clinched the MIAC regular season championship but lost their first conference game of the season Saturday afternoon to St. Thomas. The Royals main competition for the fifth spot, Augsburg, still has games remaining tonight against Hamline and two with last place and winless St. Olaf.