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MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team put up a valiant effort but fell just short of their first MIAC Playoff Championship, losing to St. Thomas 3-2 in a thrilling, but heartbreaking, game for the Royals. Bethel held a 2-1 lead midway through the second period thanks to a pair of Kathryn Larson power play goals, but UST scored the final two goals of the game to take their second consecutive MIAC Playoff Championship.

"These girls absolutely played their hearts out," said Bethel head coach Brian Carlson, who was making his second appearance in the MIAC Championship game with the Royals. "We are really proud of them."

Bethel struck first, scoring the only goal of the first period, when Larson fired one into the upper corner during a Royals power play. Erin Harper and Lauren Kolak set Larson up for the score at 7:38 of the first period. Freshman goaltender Michelle Klimstra made 11 saves in the period to keep the Tommies off the scoreboard, sending several quality UST chances away.
 

The game stayed at 1-0 until St. Thomas tied the game up with a score midway through the second period on a great play by Nuala Flood who set up Rachel Friberg on a two-on-one. The Tommies momentum was short-lived however; as Larson scored again on a Bethel power play to put the Royals back up, 2-1. Natalie Simons and Erin Harper assisted Larson. It was the fifth goal and seventh point of the playoffs for the sophomore standout who also led the MIAC in points (37) and goals (24) on the season. No other player in the MIAC scored more than 32 points and 15 goals.
 

St. Thomas was able to tie the game up with another power play score just three minutes later and the game went into the third period tied at two apiece. As the tension built the play on the ice continued at a high pace as both teams had good chances. Bethel had six shots within the first ten minutes of the third period, several that very nearly went in, but were unable to take the lead. UST was able to convert a two-on-one opportunity following a Bethel turnover in their own end for what proved to be the game winner with 6:37 remaining. The Royals had several more good chances, putting three shots on goal, but again, were just unable to get one past the Tommies goaltender who made 10 third period saves.

For the game, Michelle Klimstra made 25 saves for Bethel. The Royals scored their two power play goals on four chances while St. Thomas was 1-3.

Following the game, junior forward Caroline Kivisto was announced as the MIAC Elite 22 Award winner. The MIAC Elite 22 Award recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the conference championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. Modeled after the NCAA Elite 89 Award, the MIAC Elite 22 Award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest grade point average (GPA) in each sport who meet similarly high, sport-specific athletic requirements. For Kivisto, the Elite 22 Award is the second of her dual-sport career at Bethel as she also claimed the honors last spring in the MIAC Softball Championships.
 

The Royals still cling to hope of a slight chance to receive an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament as Bethel was ranked No. 6 in the latest West Region rankings by the NCAA. St. Thomas claimed the leagues automatic spot in the NCAA's and MIAC regular season champion Gustavus will also await the announcement of the bracket to see if they earned an at-large selection. The NCAA's live online selection show will take place Monday morning at 9 a.m. on NCAA.com.