BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team dropped their home opener to the No. 7-ranked University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire by a 3-0 score. The Blugolds scored once in the first and twice in the second period to take the victory.
 
UWEC scored their first period goal at 12:53 on a power play. The second period saw the Blugolds tack on two more goals, the first at 6:29 at even strength and the second on a power play at 14:05. UWEC held a 26-15 advantage in shots through the first two periods but the Royals outshot UWEC 12-5 in the third period thanks to several power play opportunities. Unfortunately for the Royals they were unable to find the back of the net and UWEC finished with a 31-27 shot advantage for the game. Freshman goaltender Baleigh Shuck made 28 saves for Bethel.
 
The Royals finished 0-6 on the power play, several of those power plays were cut short however due to penalties on the Royals. UWEC was 2-6 on their power play opportunities.
 
With the loss Bethel falls to 1-2 on the year and will be off until next Friday night when they travel to Saint Benedict for their MIAC opener. UW-Eau Claire improves to 3-0 as the Blugolds will take on Gustavus on Saturday night. The Royals and Bennies will drop the puck on Friday at 7 p.m. at the MAC in St. Cloud, Minnesota.