BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team took the opener of a huge MIAC showdown with a thorough 3-0 victory over the visiting Concordia College Cobbers. The win vaults the Royals into a first place tie with St. Thomas heading into the final day of the regular season. Bethel and Concordia entered the day tied for second, just one point behind UST. The Royals win, coupled with the Tommies tie against last place St. Olaf, leaves both teams tied at 24 points with Concordia still in the hunt at 22 points.

The Royals opened the scoring when Wendy Roberts was able to finish on a two-on-one break for Bethel late in the first period. Karly Vohden and Kirsten Olson assisted on the play. The first period ended at 1-0 with the Royals outshooting the Cobbers 14-3 in the opening period. Concordia held a 12-8 shots advantage in the second period but the score remained at 1-0 heading into the third. Senior Hadley Cookson gave the Royals a 2-0 lead with a goal just 3:22 into the third period with assists to Lauren Kolak and Caroline Kivisto. After killing off the first power play of the night mid-way through the third period the Royals earned a power play of their own and converted. Kolak scored for Bethel with just 3:25 remaining to give the Royals the comfortable three-goal lead. Bethel would go on another power play before the end but came up empty as the game ended with the 3-0 score.

Michelle Klimstra was once again outstanding in net for Bethel, making 26 saves in recording her fourth shutout of the season. Klimstra dropped her goals allowed average on the year to just 1.61 and upped her save percentage to .941.
The Royals will host the Cobbers once again Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in Bethel University Arena. The Royals can finish anywhere from first to third place in the final standings depending on tomorrow's outcomes.