ST. PETER, Minn. - The Bethel University women's hockey team traveled to Gustavus Adolphus College for a non-conference matchup with the defending MIAC champion Gusties and came out with an impressive 4-2 victory. GAC finished last season ranked No. 5 in the nation but the Royals soured their season opener by scoring four third period goals, two empty netters, to pull out the win. Four different Royals scored those third period goals while Baleigh Shuck made 28 saves to record her second win of the season. 

The Royals and Gusties were scoreless heading into the third period when freshman Lindsey Muntifering broke through with her first collegiate goal 4:53 into the period. The lead was short lived however as the Gusties scored just five seconds after the ensuing faceoff to tie the game back up at 1-1. It would remain that way until Lexi DeBace put the Royals back on top with just three and a half minutes remaining in the game. Senior defenseman Kennedi Mitchell scored an empty net goal with 42 seconds remaining to make it 3-1. Once again, the Gusties struck quickly though, this time just four seconds after the faceoff to pull within one score with 46 seconds remaining. Another Bethel freshman, Julia McAlpin, then scored her first goal to end the Gusties miracle comeback hopes with 21 seconds remaining for the final 4-2 score.       

The win over the Gusties was the first since the 2016 MIAC championship season for the Royals. The two teams will play again to wrap up the 2021 season in a MIAC matchup on March 13 at Bethel University Arena. The Royals are now 2-0 on the season and will host the College of Saint Benedict on Saturday evening at 5 p.m. in the MIAC opener.