ASHLAND, Wis. - The Bethel University women's hockey team opened their season with a 3-0 victory over Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. The Royals scored once in the second period and twice in the third while shutting out the LumberJills. Three different Royals scored the goals while Mallory Tidona made 25 saves in net for the shutout. Bethel outshot Northland 44-25.

After a scoreless first period the second period was scoreless as well until Bethel scored with just 26 seconds remaining. Lexi DeBace put the Royals up with the first goal of the season. Bethel's next two goals came early in the third period with Bri Stafne scoring first. Stafne's score came 2:40 into the period. The final goal of the game was scored by senior Bailey Thompson off an assist from Kennedi Mitchell at the 7:16 mark. Sophomore goaltender Mallory Tidona picked up her second career shutout, the first coming last January, also against Northland in a 4-0 Bethel victory.  

The Royals and LumberJills will conclude their season opening series on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. from the Bay Area Civic Center in Ashland.