BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University Women's Hockey team showcased its resilience Saturday afternoon, overcoming an early two-goal deficit before securing a shootout victory over Concordia University Wisconsin. After battling to a 2-2 tie through regulation and overtime, the Royals came through in the shootout to claim the 3-2 decision and close out the weekend series with a victory at Bethel University Arena – National Sports Center.
Concordia Wisconsin struck first in the opening period, finding the back of the net at 7:53 before adding another goal at 13:22 to take a 0-2 advantage into the first intermission.
Bethel responded early in the second period. At 1:22, junior forward Myla Lubken got the Royals on the board, finishing a scoring opportunity to cut the deficit to one. Sophomore forward Sophie Martin and junior defenseman Siri Olson were credited with assists on the goal.
The Royals continued to generate offensive pressure throughout the second period, recording 15 shots on goal while keeping the opposition off the scoreboard. Bethel entered the final period trailing by just one, setting the stage for a third-period push.
That push came at 3:27 when Sophie Martin found the back of the net on the power play, bringing the contest even at 2-2. Sophomore defenseman Olivia Martin assisted on the equalizer, capping off a determined comeback by the Royals.
Neither team was able to find the go-ahead goal during the remainder of regulation, sending the contest to overtime. After a scoreless extra period, the game moved to a shootout to determine the winner.
Sophomore defenseman Rylen Kissell delivered the deciding moment for the Royals, converting her shootout attempt to give Bethel the advantage. Sophomore goaltender Ava Brennan came up big on the other end, stopping all three Concordia Wisconsin attempts to secure the shootout victory and give the Royals their first win of the 2026-27 season.
Martin led the Royals offensively with a goal and an assist, while Lubken added a goal of her own. Olivia Martin and Olson each recorded an assist.
Brennan turned in a strong performance between the pipes, finishing with 23 saves on 25 shots faced. Bethel generated 42 shots on goal, including 16 in the third period, while successfully killing both of Concordia Wisconsin's power-play opportunities. The Royals finished 1-for-4 on the power play.
With the shootout victory, Bethel closes its opening weekend with a 1-0-1 record and carries momentum into its next matchup as the 2026-27 season continues.
