BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team put up a strong effort but was unable to keep up with the high-powered Falcons from UW-River Falls, falling 6-3 at Bethel University Arena. The No. 8 ranked Falcons built a 3-0 lead and after Bethel got back into the game at 3-2 were able to score three more times for the 6-3 final.
 
The Falcons scored the lone goal of the first period 11:56 in. In the second period both teams scored twice with the Falcons tallying the first two goals to build a 3-0 lead. Bethel responded though first with a Grace Halvorson score on a scrum in front of the net. Payton Olson had the assist. Just over a minute later Bailey Thompson, Bethel's leading scorer, had a breakaway and fired a shot that clanged loudly off the pipe, just deflecting out of the net. The Royals continued to put pressure on the Falcons though and at 16:32 Makenzie Baker was able to score off an assist from Lara Trulove.
 
The third period saw UWRF score twice midway through the period at 9:17 and 13:30 to build their lead to 5-2 before Bethel was able to get one back. Kaylyn Forliti scored for the Royals at unassisted at 15:32. UWRF did not allow Bethel to come any closer though as the Falcons scored again at 17:07 for the 6-3 final. Mallory Tidona made 42 saves in net for the Royals as the Falcons held a 48-13 shots advantage.
 
The Royals fall to 4-8 overall, with six of those eight losses coming against Top 10 ranked opponents. UWRF improves to 10-3-1 on the season. Bethel will be back in action with a rare Tuesday tilt as they travel to Superior, Wisconsin to take on the Yellowjackets of UW-Superior. The puck will drop at 7 p.m.