NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The St. Olaf College women's hockey team's push for a berth in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Playoffs will come down to the final day of the regular season after a 4-2 loss to Bethel University on Friday evening at St. Olaf Ice Arena.

Bethel (11-12-1, 6-11-0 MIAC) scored twice in less than two minutes in the opening period to get out to an early lead and held St. Olaf (11-12-1, 8-8-1 MIAC) scoreless until midway through the third period to take the series opener. The Oles twice cut their deficit to two in the third period behind goals from senior Iona Welsch and junior MaKenna Beaver.

Despite the loss, St. Olaf remains in the fifth and final playoff spot heading into the final day of the regular season after the College of Saint Benedict fell 5-3 at Concordia-Moorhead on Friday night. The Oles will carry a two-point advantage into the final game of the regular season, although the Bennies hold the head-to-head tiebreaker if the two teams end up tied on points.

Despite being eliminated from playoff contention last weekend, Bethel jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals from Brynn Swenson and Trinity Jackson in the span of 1:55 past the midpoint of the first period. The visitors extended their lead even further early in the second on a goal 4:57 in by Abbie Delong.

Bethel maintained its 3-0 lead until Welsch scored a power-play goal at 10:34 of the third period to get the Oles on the board. The senior put home a rebound off assists from Beaver and sophomore Andi Huselid for her second goal of the season to give St. Olaf hope of a late comeback.

With the Royals still ahead by two, St. Olaf pulled its goaltender with 3:37 to go and Bethel capitalized with an empty-netter from Siri Olson a minute later to go back up by three. The Oles didn't go quietly, however, as Beaver scored her second goal of the season 28 seconds later to again make it a two-goal differential.

St. Olaf again opted for the extra skater but was unable to get any closer. Anna Hanson picked up the win for the Royals with 38 saves, as the Oles held a 40-28 advantage in shots on goal. First year Baylyn Shankman continued the unblemished start to her career by stopping all 14 shots she faced in relief of junior Hannah Fritz, who made 10 saves over the first 24:57. Shankman has stopped all 119 shots she has faced over six appearances.

The Oles and Royals will conclude the regular season with a 6 p.m. puck drop at the National Sports Center in Blaine on Saturday, Feb. 22.