BLAINE, Minn. - The Bethel University women's hockey team found themselves down 2-0 early on to the Concordia College Cobbers but the Royals showed a lot of grit in chipping away and coming up with a big 3-2 victory over the Cobbers to take three of the possible four points in the weekend MIAC series. The Cobbers scored twice in the first period but Bethel scored twice in the second before getting the game winner in the third. The Royals doubled the Cobbers shot output at 36-18 but for the first period and a half the Cobbers continually stoned the Royals offensive efforts. Michelle Klimstra made 16 saves in net for the Royals.

Concordia jumped out front early on with an even strength goal just 2:44 into the game and then added a power play goal midway through the first period. Bethel created several great scoring opportunities and fired off 12 shots on goal in the first period but were unable to find the back of the net. The Cobbers were able to kill of a minute of a Bethel 5-on-3 advantage early in the period. The second period the Royals fortunes changed as Erika Geary got Bethel on the board with a goal at 5:25 with assists from Bailey Thompson and Kennedi Mitchell. Controversy ensued on the Royals next score as Wendy Roberts slammed one home late in the second period but originally the officials signaled no goal. Roberts blasted a shot from close range on the right side into the back of the net which sent the Cobber goalies' water bottle flying and the puck ricocheted back out and in play as Roberts and teammates began celebrating until realizing the official was signaling no goal. The two teams played out the rest of the final minute of the period before the officials gathered and determined that Roberts shot had indeed gone in the net and come out, tying the game up at 2-2. The final 48 seconds of the period were then replayed as the Royals nearly scored again at the buzzer but Concordia was just able to keep the puck out of the net. 

In a penalty filled third period both teams had three power play opportunities but neither team scored on the advantage. The Royals game winner came late in the period when Kirsten Olson tipped in a shot from Wendy Roberts with just under five minutes remaining. Following the Olson goal the Royals were not able to relax as they ended up having to kill off a Cobbers power play shortly after the score and then again for the final 30 seconds after another penalty and the Cobbers pulling their goalie.

The win for Bethel was a crucial one as they are now 1-2-1 in the MIAC and 3-4-1 overall on the season. Bethel will take a week off for the Thanksgiving break before returning to action to take on No. 7 ranked Gustavus Adolphus College on December 1st and 2nd. The Gusties split their series with Hamline, getting a 4-2 win Saturday after being blown out Friday night by the Pipers, 5-2.