BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team scored once in each period and shutout the visiting College of Saint Benedict on Friday night to take the opener of the MIAC series 3-0. Bethel goalie Michelle Klimstra recorded her second shutout of the season, making 21 saves, while three different Royals scored goals as Bethel snapped a two-game scoreless streak.

Bethel freshman Sarina Goos opened the scoring for the Royals at 4:31 into the first period. Goos took a pass from Erika Geary and made a pretty play, skating in front of the crease and hooking a shot around the Blazer goalie for her second goal of the season. Lauren Kolak was the next Royal to tally as she scored a similar goal to Goos' with Caroline Kivisto and Briita Nelson assisting Kolak. The score for Kolak came early in the second period at 3:03. The Royals maintained their 2-0 lead until Wendy Roberts scored an empty netter, firing the puck past a Blazer defender, for the final 3-0 score.

The Royals outshot CSB by a 27-21 margin. Just five penalties were called in the game, with two being coincidental roughing calls. The Royals were 0-2 on their power plays while Saint Ben's was 0-1.
The win improves the Royals to 7-7-2 overall and 5-2-2 in the MIAC, keeping Bethel solidly in fourth place as they hold a three point lead over Gustavus and Saint Mary's who are tied for fifth. Bethel sits just one point behind third place Augsburg, two behind second place Concordia and three behind league leading St. Thomas. The Royals and Blazers conclude their series Saturday afternoon with a 3 p.m. faceoff from Dave Torrey Arena in St. Cloud, Minnesota.