BLAINE, Minn. - The Bethel University women's hockey team put up a valiant effort against the unbeaten Aurora University Spartans but a late lead did not hold and the Royals fell 4-3 in overtime Saturday afternoon. After falling to the Spartans 5-1 on Friday night the Royals came out fighting on Saturday trading goals with AU until taking a lead early in the third period on a power play goal. The Spartans though were able to get the last two scores, the first 11:43 into the third and the game winner 53 seconds into overtime. 

The Spartans scored first, 4:47 into the opening period but Bethel responded with just 18 seconds remaining in the first with a Grace Halvorson goal from Megan Johnson. Aurora took the lead back midway through the second period before Bethel again scored with just 18 seconds left, this time in the second period and this time it was Johnson from Halvorson. BU jumped out to their first lead of the series just 1:22 into the third period when Lexi DeBace scored on a Royal power play. Johnson and Sydney Eckert assisted on DeBace's goal. Bethel goalie Mallory Tidona made 30 saves in the second and third periods alone to try and hold the Spartans off the board but Aurora was able to get the equalizer before the game winner early in the overtime. Tidona finished with 38 saves for the game. 

Each team was able to capitalize on one power play. The Royals had two opportunities while the Spartans had four, the last being the game winning goal while on the power play. 

Bethel falls to 2-2 with the loss while Aurora goes to 4-0. The Royals next jump into MIAC play when they travel to Saint Benedict College on Thursday night before hosting the Bennies on Friday night.