MIAC Release

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team, the 2015-2016 MIAC regular season co-champions, were rewarded for their outstanding season with several individual awards as announced by the MIAC Thursday. Head coach Brian Carlson was named the MIAC Coach-of-the-Year after his sixth season where he guided Bethel to the top of the standings after being picked to finish fourth to start the season. Three Royals were named to the All-Conference Team in Erin Harper, Caroline Kivisto and Lauren Kolak. Sarina Goos was named to the MIAC All-Rookie Team extending the Royals streak to six years with a selection on the six member team. Two Royals were named All-Conference Honorable Mention in Michelle Klimstra and Natalie Simons while Kelsey Johnston was Bethel's representative on the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team.

Head Coach Brian Carlson was recognized by his peers across the league for the Royals incredible success this season after losing their top three scorers from the 2014-15 season. The MIAC Coach-of-the-Year Award is the first for Carlson who has amassed 88 career victories in leading the Royals climb to the top.

For Caroline Kivisto and Lauren Kolak this marks their first career All-Conference awards while Erin Harper took home her third such honor. Kivisto and Kolak are no strangers to conference awards, however. Kivisto was an All-Rookie Team member in 2012-13 as well as a two-time All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team member and won the MIAC Elite 22 Award last year. In this her senior season, Kivisto tied for the team lead in points with 15 on eight goals and seven assist and led Bethel with a +15 rating. Kolak, who took home the most recent MIAC Hockey Athlete-of-the-Week Award and was named to D3hockey.com's Team-of-the-Week, also tied for Bethel's scoring lead with 15 points. Her goal total of 10 was a team high. Harper once again anchored the Bethel defense while also contributing 12 assists and two goals as the MIAC coaches clearly recognize her value as a three-time All-Conference honoree.

Freshman Sarina Goos had an impressive debut season for the Royals to keep a very impressive Bethel streak going as she was the sixth consecutive Bethel freshman to earn All-Rookie team honors. Goos, who hails from the hockey hot bed of Roseau, Minnesota, finished the regular season with four goals and ten assists. One year removed from being an All-Rookie Team member, goalie Michelle Klimstra earned All-Conference Honorable Mention status after putting together an outstanding season in net. Klimstra ranked fourth in the MIAC in Goals-Against Average (1.61), third in save percentage (.941) and second in winning percentage (.750). Klimstra was especially spectacular down the stretch for Bethel as she started five consecutive games, four of which were Bethel victories, and allowed just six goals. Natalie Simons was also a key member of the Royals defense and was honored with an All-Conference Honorable Mention selection. Simons had an outstanding +11 rating on the Royals top line and chipped in eight assists and a goal on the year.   

As part of a conference-wide sportsmanship initiative, the MIAC also announced the ninth annual All-MIAC Sportsmanship team for women's hockey. Members of the All-MIAC Sportsmanship team are selected by their coaches and teammates as individuals who demonstrate ideals of positive sportsmanship both on and off the field of competition. Bethel's selection was senior Kelsey Johnston, a key four-year contributor for the Royals.

Bethel will look to earn their second consecutive trip to the MIAC Championship game as they host Augsburg College Saturday afternoon in an MIAC Playoff Semifinal contest slated to begin at 2 p.m.