The Aurora University women's hockey team opened their 2023-2024 season at Fox Valley Ice Arena with a 3-2 win over Bethel University.


FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 3, Bethel University 2
LOCATION: Geneva, Illinois - Fox Valley Ice Arena
RECORDS: Aurora University 1-0-0 overall , Bethel University 0-0-1 overall

 
- Prior to the game, AU recognized Spartan Darci Matson for winning the 2023 Laura Hurd Award.
- At the 12:28 mark in the first period, the Spartans scored their first goal of the season as Darci Matson broke away from the Bethel defense to put AU up 1-0. 
- The Matson goal came while AU was short handed. 
- The Royals tied the game about three minutes later.
- AU put 15 shots on goal in the first period as Bethel was only able to put eight.
- A little over six minutes into the second period, AU took a 2-1 lead thanks to a Makenna Brownlee goal that was assisted by Ally Richards and Matson.
- The Spartans again put more shots on goal than the Royals during the period and took a 2-1 lead into the second intermission.
- The third period began with a Bethel goal making it 2-2.
- About 10 minutes later, Ava Eid directed a shot to the net that Reilly O'Brien redirected and found the back of the Bethel net to give the Spartans a 3-2 lead.
- The goal for O'Brien was her first collegiate goal.
- AU continued their strong defense and carried their lead 3-2 lead until the final buzzer.
- The Spartans finished the game with 30 more shots on goal than Bethel. 

 
Points: Darci Matson (2)
Goals: Darci Matson, Reilly O'Brien, and Makenna Brownlee (1)
Assists: Darci Matson, Ally Richards and Ava Eid (1)
Saves: Tia Glube (21)


Next action for the Spartan women's hockey team comes on Saturday, October 28 when they again host Bethel University. Puck drop is slated for 3:00 p.m. at the Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva, Illinois.