Fast start propels women's hockey to victory

The Pipers (11-6-2, 7-5-1 in the MIAC) netted two goals in the first 4:31 of the first period to take a two-goal lead. On the first shift of the game, first-year Melanie Leveille took the puck away from a Bethel defender a ripped a wrister topshelf on Royal goaltender Beth Spurrier.

At 4:31, sophomore Kate Raasch scored on a wrister from the blue line to make the score 2-0. Leveille and first-year Amanda Finstad assisted on the play.

From there, sophomore goaltender Crystal Testolin stopped 24 of 25 shots in faced to earn her ninth win of the season. Her only blemish came in the second period when Sandra Felten scored at 4:31 with an assist from Anna Baumgarten.

The Pipers were outshot 25-13 in the contest. Spurrier finished the evening with 11 saves.

The two teams will square off again on Saturday afternoon in Blaine, Minn. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.