SUPERIOR, Wis. – Sophomore goaltender McKenzie Whalen (East Grand Forks, Minn./East Grand Forks) stopped 23 shots for her first collegiate shutout and classmate Jenna Byfuglien (Roseau, Minn./Roseau) scored 16:44 into the second period as the UW-Superior women's hockey team topped Bethel, 1-0, at Wessman Arena Tuesday.
 
With the win, the Yellowjackets improve to 9-2-1 on the season, dropping the Royals to 4-9-0. Whalen earned her third win of the season, moving her ledger to 3-0-0.
 
Through an uneventful but swiftly played first 36 minutes, the teams remained scoreless. That changed when senior Kaleigh Martinson (Dayton, Minn./Champlin Park) charged down the left wing and cut to the middle of the ice. Her shot was blocked, but Byfuglien scooped up the carom and flipped the puck over the glove of Bethel goalie Baleigh Shuck on the backhand. Martinson and Amanda Sergent (Eagle River, Wis./Northland Pines) picked up assists on Byfuglien's second goal of the season.
 
Bethel turned up the pressure in the third period, forcing UWS to defend, but the 'Jackets were up to the task, and Whalen turned away all eight shots she faced. The Superior blocked 15 shots on the night, including four on two Bethel power plays in the final five minutes 
 
The Royals were held scoreless on three power plays, and were only able to generate two shots on goal on those chances. The 'Jackets' penalty kill stands at 90.1 percent on the season, having been successful in all but seven of 71 opportunities.
 
Byfuglien and Martinson registered a game-high-tying three shots apiece. UWS was also strong in the faceoff circle, taking 23-of-40. Jenna Curtis (Webster, Wis./Webster) won 11 of her 18 draws (61.1 percent).
 
Shuck took the loss in the Bethel net, making 17 saves.
 
UWS is back in action Thursday taking on No. 5 UW-Eau Claire