BLAINE, Minn. - The Bethel University women's hockey team held a 1-0 lead over the No. 9-ranked Hamline University Pipers late into the third period but Hamline scored twice in the final five minutes to take the 2-1 victory. Mallory Tidona was spectacular in net for the Royals, making 33 saves in keeping the MIAC's top scoring offense off the board for the first 56:39 of the game. Bailey Thompson's early second period power play goal put Bethel up 1-0 but the Royals were unable to add on, relying on Tidona's great glove work to keep the lead in tact. The Pipers first score came at 15:21 in the third and the game winner game with just 29 seconds remaining on a scrum in front of the net.

Hamline, the defending national runners-up, outshot Bethel 35-19 in the contest. The Royals committed six penalties but stopped all six Hamline power plays. Bethel was awarded five power play opportunities with the lone goal coming on their second opportunity at 5:19 in the second period. 

The loss drops the Royals to 3-5 overall and 2-3 in MIAC play. All three MIAC losses have come to Top 10 ranked opponents in No. 9 Hamline and No. 10 St. Thomas. The Pipers improve to 5-3-1 and 4-1 in the MIAC. Saturday's series finale will take place in St. Paul at the TRIA Rink with a 2 p.m. faceoff. (The game was originally scheduled for a 3 p.m. start.)