The University of Wisconsin Superior played a tight game against Bethel University, but the Royals celebrated an empty net goal late to push past the Yellowjackets 3-1 in both teams' season opener on Friday night in Blaine, Minnesota.

UW-Superior (1-0-0) got a third-period power play goal from first-year forward Hannah Currin (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy H.S.), cutting Bethel's lead down to 2-1 with 8:19 remaining in the game thanks to assists from juniors Saige Patrick (Steinbach, Man./St. Mary's Academy) and Mikayla Goodin (Andover, Minn./Andover H.S.), but the Royals (0-1-0) held tight defensively in the final minutes before Wendy Roberts scored the empty net tally that put the game on ice.

After a scoreless first period, Bethel established its lead with a pair of goals after the intermission. Briita Nelson got the Royals on the board just before the midpoint of the game with 7:04 ticked off in the period, getting an assist from Kaitlyn Van Tressel. BU extended its lead in the closing moments of the period as Roberts assisted on a score by Natalie Simons at 19:03 in the second. Senior Leah Elledge (Champlin Park, Minn./Champlin Park H.S.) had three shots in the second period and a team-high four shots for the game, matching junior defender Emily Heid (Elk River, Minn./Elk River H.S.).

The Yellowjackets finished 1-for-7 on the powerplay while keeping the Royals quiet on four chances with the one-skater advantage. Bethel out-shot UWS 37-31 on the day. Junior goalie Sky Brown (Lenore, Man./Virden Collegiate Institute) made 34 saves to keep Superior in the game, but it was the Royals' Michelle Klimstra who picked up the victory between the pipes making 30 saves.

UP NEXT
UW-Superior will open its home season on Saturday afternoon as the team returns to Wessman Arena tomorrow to host Augsburg College. Puck drop is set for 2:00 p.m.