BLAINE, Minn. - The Bethel University women's hockey team found themselves in a 1-0 deficit in the third period before senior Bri Stafne went off, scoring three goals to lift the Royals to a 4-1 victory. Saint Mary's had scored the games lone goal through the first 45 minutes, a short handed score at 12:23 in the second period. Stafne's brilliance began 4:33 into the third with her first goal and the second came just a few minutes later to put the Royals on top for good. Freshman Alex Belde scored her first career goal with just over three minutes remaining before Stafne completed the hat trick with an empty netter with 2:44 remaining. It was the first career hat trick for the Hermantown native who now has 70 career points with the Royals, the ninth most in program history. 

McKayla Machlitt assisted Stafne on all three of her goals and Emily Roder was part of the last two. Julia McAlpin and Lexi DeBace assisted on Belde's score. Mallory Tidona made 10 saves in the first period and needed to make just seven more in the second and third to get the 'W' in net. BU outshot Saint Mary's 42-18. 

The win improves Bethel to 4-2 on the season and the Royals will return to Bethel University Arena for a Monday matinee with the Augsburg Auggies. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:15 p.m.