BLAINE, Minn. - The Bethel University women's hockey team went toe-to-toe with the No. 4 ranked University of Wisconsin-River Falls Friday night and came up just short as the Falcons scored twice on the power play late in the third period to pull out the victory, 7-5. After Bethel took an early 1-0 lead the Falcons responded in a big way, scoring four unanswered goals, including three in a 37 second span to take control of the game. Bethel did not quit however, fighting their way back in and evening up the score at 4-4 in the third period before UWRF scored three more times to just once for Bethel.

Kaitlyn VanTassel put the Royals up 1-0 early with a score just over two minutes into the game. Bri Stafne and Sarina Goos assisted VanTassel. The Falcons scored their first goal at 13:33 in the first period. Starting at 18:20 in the first, a Falcons flurry changed the course of the contest as they scored three goals in the next 37 seconds to go up 4-1. The blow to the Royals by UWRF however proved to not be a knockout as the Royals played a solid second period, scoring twice and keeping the Falcons off the board. Kirsten Olson scored a great unassisted goal two mintes into the second period and Bri Stafne fired one in at 10:14 on a Bethel power play. VanTassel and Bailey Thompson assisted Stafne as the Royals pulled within one heading into the third period. Stafne opened the scoring in the third period with another impressive goal from the freshman from Hermantown, Minnesota to tie the game up at 4-4. Stafne and sophomore VanTassel both lead the Royals in scoring with four goals and four assists for each of them through the first three games. The Falcons were able to respond just 19 seconds after the Royals scored to take the lead back at 5-4. At 13:31 UWRF scored again to make it a two score margin at 6-4. Bethel still was not done however as Wendy Roberts scored on a Bethel power play with assists to Sarah Moy and Kennedi Mitchell. Bethel then created another power play opportunity with just 3:17 remaining in the game as they looked to tie the game. A tripping call on the Royals though ended the power play and eventually put the Falcons on the advantage and UWRF capatalized with their seventh goal of the game with just 1:15 remaining.

The loss is the first of the year for Bethel (2-1) while the win for UWRF is also the first of the year. The Falcons (1-1-1) played No. 3 Norwich and No. 2 Adrian last weekend, with a tie and a loss to show for it. The Falcons and Royals will square off again on Saturday, this time in River Falls, Wisconsin at 2 p.m.