ST. PETER, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team overcame two deficits to take a 3-2 victory, sweeping a pivotal MIAC series from the Gustavus Adolphus College Golden Gusties. Down 1-0 and 2-1 the Royals scored two unanswered goals in the second and third periods to take the victory and maintain their standing of second place in the MIAC, tied with Concordia and just one point behind league leading St. Thomas. The sweep of the Gusties also marks the first sweep of Gustavus, winners of 10 of the last 11 MIAC championships, in Bethel's program history.
The Gusties jumped out early with a goal just 46 seconds into the game. The rest of the first period would remain scoreless as the Gusties would outshoot Bethel 15-2. The second period would belong to the Royals however as they scored a pair of power play goals sandwiched around a single Gustie goal.
Sarina Goos scored the first power play goal at 3:34 with an assist from
Hannah Williams. At 6:12 the Gusties took the lead back at 2-1 but just two minutes later the Royals tied it back up.
Caroline Kivisto capitalized on another Royals power play with assists from
Erin Harper and
Natalie Simons. The game would go into the third period knotted at two and
Lauren Kolak played the role of hero for Bethel, scoring the eventual game-winner at 4:26 into the third period.
Briita Nelson and Harper assisted. The Royals would hang on thanks to another amazing effort by goalie
Michelle Klimstra. One night after stopping 34 of the Gusties 35 shots, Klimstra made a season high 39 saves, including 14 in the first and third periods. Klimstra picked up her eighth win of the season to just three losses and improved her save percentage to .937.
Despite being heavily outshot in the series the Royals swept the Gusties in large part due to their outstanding special teams play. Only one of Bethel's six goals on the weekend came in regular five-on-five play as they totaled three power play goals, a short-handed goal and an empty netter. Bethel's two power play goals on Saturday came in their only two opportunities of the day. The Golden Gusties were 0-for-1 on the power play.
The win sets up another huge MIAC showdown next weekend, the final regular season series of the year, as the Royals will host the Concordia College Cobbers. Bethel and Concordia are tied for second place with 22 points each, just one point behind St. Thomas who plays at St. Olaf next weekend. The Royals and Cobbers will square off Friday night and Saturday afternoon in Bethel University Arena.
