BLAINE, Minn. - The Bethel University women's hockey team suffered a 4-2 defeat to the Saint Mary's University Cardinals Saturday afternoon despite outshooting the Cardinals by a 39-22 margin. All four of the Cardinals goals were scored by Bailey Wendt, one in the first and third period and two in the second period.

Both teams exchanged goals within the first 2:05 of the game. Saint Mary's came first just 1:40 in and then the Royals answered at 2:05 with a Erika Geary score. She was assisted by Sarah Moy and Wendy Roberts. The Royals grabbed a 2-1 lead midway through the second period when Kaitlyn VanTassel scored from Bri Stafne and Bailey Thompson. From there on the scoring was all Cardinals and Wendt as she scored twice within a two minute stretch later in the second and again at 6:29 in the third. The Royals had great chance after great chance but were just unable to get the bounce they needed to get back in the game.

The loss leaves the Royals in eighth place in the MIAC standings, two points out of sixth place and the final playoff spot. Saint Mary's jumps up into that sixth place spot, leaping St. Kate's and breaking their tie with Bethel. With four games remaining the Royals need some help from Hamline or St. Olaf in the coming weeks against Saint Mary's and to take care of St. Olaf and then St. Kate's themselves in order to lay claim to their seventh MIAC playoff spot in the last eight years. The Royals stand at 4-8-2 in the MIAC and 8-11-2 overall.