WINONA, Minn. – The Bethel women's hockey team emerged victorious from a critical MIAC matchup against the Saint Mary's University Cardinals, 3-1. The Cardinals currently sit at the No. 3 spot in the MIAC and also received votes in this week's USCHO Top-15 Poll while the Royals land at No. 7. The win moves the Royals to a record of 5-8-0 in the MIAC and 10-9-1 overall as they continue their bid to earn a spot in the postseason bracket.
How It Happened:
• The Royals dominated the first period, tallying two of their three goals. Just over eight minutes into the opening period,
Kallie Abrahamson broke the puck out of the Royals' defensive zone and skated it up the ice slotting a pass over to
Emily Wiltse, who drilled it home to give the Royals a 1-0 lead.
• Minutes later, Ali Hoerer connected with
Dylan Grilz, who took a shot as she closed in from the blue line.
Maddi O'Connor deflected the puck off of her stick and into the back of the Cardinals' net growing the Royals' lead to 2-0.
• The Cardinals closed the gap in the second period, outshooting the Royals, 11-7, and breaking onto the scoreboard at 3:30. Still, they were unable to find the equalizer.
• The third period saw tight competition between the teams as the Royals sought to hold the lead and the Cardinals for a second, game-tying goal.
• With just over a minute left, the Cardinals pulled their goaltender to add an extra attacker to the ice.
Brynn Swenson took advantage of the empty net, winning the puck in the Royals' defensive zone and sending it sliding all the way to the other end and into the Cardinals' goal to secure a 3-1 Royal victory.
What's Next:
The Royals will return to their home ice at the Blaine Super Rink tomorrow for the second game in their series with the Cardinals. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m.
