Women's Hockey 1/21/06 -- Bethel 5, Augsburg 0

BOXSCORE

MINNEAPOLIS (1/21/06) -- Bethany Murphy (Fr., Grand Rapids, Minn.) scored her first collegiate hat trick with a three-goal performance, as Bethel University claimed a women's hockey series sweep from Augsburg College for the first time in school history with a 5-0 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory on Saturday afternoon at the Augsburg Ice Arena.

Bethel scored all five of its goals in the first 12:43 of the third period, improving to 4-8-1 overall, 4-6-0 in MIAC play. Augsburg is now 6-8-2 overall, 5-3-2 in MIAC play.

The series sweep was the first for Bethel over Augsburg in the Royals' seven seasons of varsity hockey. Augsburg is now 9-5 all-time against Bethel since the 1999-2000 season.

Murphy scored twice in the first 5:06 of the third period, with a goal from Elicia Adams (Sr., Isanti, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti HS) at the 1:15 mark and a goal from Sandra Felten (Fr., Cashton, Wis.) at the 5:06 mark.

After Amy Beitzel (So., Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview HS) scored from Caitlyn Belcher (So., Eagle River, Wis./Northland Pines HS) at the 6:12 mark, Murphy completed her hat trick with a power-play goal from Felton at the 9:38 mark. Lisa Kinney (Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn.) completed the scoring for the Royals on an unassisted, shorthanded goal at the 12:43 mark.

Bethel outshot Augsburg by a 32-18 margin. The Royals outshot the Auggies by a 73-43 margin in the weekend series. Beth Spurrier (Fr., Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata HS) stopped all 18 shots she faced to claim her second collegiate shutout in goal. Amanda Bockmann (So., Wind Lake, Wis./Muskego HS) made 27 saves for Augsburg.

Both teams return to MIAC play with series next weekend, as Augsburg faces St. Thomas and Bethel faces St. Benedict. Augsburg plays at St. Thomas on Friday (1/27) at 7 p.m. and hosts St. Thomas on Saturday (1/28) at 7:05 p.m. at the Augsburg Ice Arena. Bethel plays at St. Benedict on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and hosts St. Benedict on Saturday at 7 p.m.