WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's women's hockey team came out on the short end of the final score on Friday night — but certainly not for lack of trying. 
 
Despite holding a commanding 32-22 advantage in shots on goal, the Cardinals came up empty in falling to Bethel 2-0 in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup at the Saint Mary's Ice Arena.
 
The Royals took the lead early, grabbing their first goal of the night less than two minutes into the game — the BU would never relinquish it. McKayla Machlitt netted BU's first goal, as the Royals would carry that 1-0 advantage into the locker room at the first intermission.
 
Despite a forceful seven-shot barrage  in the first two minutes of the second period, the Cardinals were unable to find the back of the net. Instead, the Royals would proceed to double their lead midway through the period. Lexi DeBace feathered the puck over the shoulder of Jordan Keeley (St. Peter, Minn.) to cement a two-goal lead for Bethel. 
 
The Cardinals tallied nine shots on goal in the third period, but Bethel goalie Anna Hanson refused to allow anything behind her.
 
Keeley made seven saves in goal for the Cardinals, while Celeste Rimstad (Richfield, Minn.) made 13 saves in relief.
 
Allie Urlaub (Burnsville, Minn.) led Saint Mary's with six shots on goal, while Kas Kingston (Black Diamond, Alberta) and Ellie Hegdahl (Brookings, S.D.) followed with four each. 
 
The Cardinals (2-8-1 MIAC, 5-12-1 overall) will continue their battle with Bethel on Saturday, as the two teams head to Bethel Arena in Blaine, Minn., for the 6 p.m. rematch.
 
 
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