A three-goal deficit proves to0 much for the Royals to overcome

The Bethel University women’s hockey team couldn’t complete the sweep on Senior Night after a three-goal second period from Saint Mary’s, falling 3-1.

CJ Wrzesien • February 11, 2025

Amy Holmberg

Senior Bethel forwards Sydney Eckert and Abbie DeLong charge the net in a second-period offensive rush against St. Mary’s University at the National Sports Center on February 8. The Royals kept their shots close with their opponents throughout the game, with the Cardinals tallying 31 shots overall and the Royals finishing with 29. | Photo by Amy Holmberg

BLAINE, Minn. — Sitting at 5-8-0 coming into Friday’s matchup with Saint Mary’s University, the Bethel University women’s hockey team needed one thing: wins, and lots of them. They currently sit in seventh place in the MIAC with 15 points and are seven points away from the fifth and final MIAC playoff spot, which is currently occupied by Saint Olaf College.

The first period was slow, the only action a Saint Mary’s power-play opportunity, during which the Royals’ 87% penalty kill came through. They kept the Cardinals off the board, and both teams headed into the first intermission scoreless.

The Cardinals got another chance on the man-advantage five minutes into the second however, as Royals’ forward Kallie Abrahamson took the hooking minor.

This time, the Saint Mary’s power play unit capitalized. Senior defenseman Kas Kingston fired a wrist shot from the top of the faceoff circle, and the Cardinals got on the board first.

The Cardinals added on twice more before the second was over with the third goal coming off the stick of Kingston again at the 12:31 mark of the period.

Bethel’s lone opportunity on the man-advantage came at the 14:

01 mark of the period with one golden opportunity to cut the deficit to two coming midway through the power play. With the puck sitting on the doorstep, the Royals failed to jam it home, and the three-goal deficit remained heading into the second intermission.

Sydney Eckert came through with the Royals’ only goal of the game, firing a wrist shot past Cardinal goaltender Celeste Rimstad. With just 3 seconds remaining, it was too little, too late, and the Royals fell to the Cardinals, 3-1.

The Royals and Cardinals shake hands after Bethel’s senior night loss. Nine seniors celebrated their final season with their families in attendance at the game. | Photo by Amy Holmberg

With four games remaining, the Royals find themselves in seventh place in the MIAC with 15 points, chasing St. Olaf for the fifth and final playoff spot at 22 points.

Of their remaining four games, three are on the road, including two this weekend as the Royals make the four-hour trip to Moorhead to face the Concordia College Cobbers.

For Bethel, the final series of the year is shaping up to be a pivotal one as a matchup with the aforementioned fifth place Oles looms. But the Royals will have to take care of business against Concordia this weekend, likely needing all six points for a shot at a playoff spot.

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About the Contributors

CJ Wrzesien, Sports Reporter

CJ Wrzesien, 25, is a senior organizational communication major with a minor in journalism. He enjoys watching Twins games at Target Field, attempting to play guitar and occasionally breaking 100 on the golf course.

Amy Holmberg, Multimedia Reporter

Amy Holmberg, 22, is a senior journalism major. She enjoys watching and playing hockey, writing poetry and catching every toad she sees on her near daily lake path walks. She grew up writing fan mail to astronauts, getting her hands messy in crafts with her grandma, and sparking conversation with any stranger she encountered. Her lifelong curiosity, creativity and passion to connect with others brought her to be a journalist.