BLAINE, Minn. - The Bethel University women's hockey team saw their four game winning streak to begin 2019 stopped by the unbeaten and No. 3-ranked University of St. Thomas, dropping both games of the series by 4-0 and 5-2 scores. The Tommies used big second periods, scoring six of their nine goals in the second to pull away from Bethel in both games. UST is the only unbeaten team in NCAA DIII women's hockey.

Saturday
The Tommies and Royals were even after the first period at 1-1. UST was able to slip a goal in within the first minute of the game but BU's Bailey Thompson answered at 3:48 in the first. She was assisted by Grace Halvorson and Bri Stafne as she fired a slap shot past the Tommies goaltender after securing a deflected puck. St. Thomas came out quickly in the second period scoring two goals in a minute and a half span, the second on a power play to grab a 3-1 lead. Bethel responded again though when Bri Stafne slammed one home just nine seconds after the Tommies third goal. Courtney Johnston and Kennedi Mitchell recorded the assists on Stafne's goal that brought Bethel within one at 3-2. UST was able to pick up two more goals in the last 1:18 of the second period to put the game out of reach for Bethel at 5-2. The third period was scoreless. 

Bethel was able to get two goals on the Tommies and senior goalie Mackenzie Torpy, a feat only two other teams had done in 16 games this season. Torpy had allowed just eight goals on the year entering Saturday with a nation leading 0.55 Goals Against Average before allowing both of the Royals scores. Emily Auge stopped 35 shots for Bethel. The freshman faced double digit shots in each period, stopping 15 in the second period alone. 

Bethel is now 5-10-1 on the year and 2-7-1 in the MIAC. UST is 15-0-1 and 9-0-1.

Friday
After an evenly played first period where both teams got off eight shots a piece but neither was able to score, the Tommies used a quick flurry in the second period to take control of the game. UST scored twice within a minute span early in the second and then added a third second period goal at 12:11 to take a 3-0 lead. The Tommies padded the lead with a fourth goal at 12:32 in the third period for the 4-0 final. UST outshot Bethel 29-17 for the game. Mallory Tidona recorded 25 saves for the Royals while UST's Mackenzie Torpy recorded her eighth shutout. Torpy leads NCAA DIII women's hockey with a 0.55 Goals Against Average. 

The Royals had their four game winning streak snapped having swept series from Northland College and Saint Benedict, while averaging over four goals per game to begin 2019. 

Bethel will return to action next weekend when they take on another ranked MIAC opponent in No. 8 Hamline (14-1-2, 8-1-1).