BEMIDJI, Minn. - Haley Balcom (Sr., Elk River, Minn.) scored her first goal of the season for the Bemidji State University women’s hockey team in a 4-1 loss to St. Cloud State University Sunday afternoon at John Glas Fieldhouse.

The Beavers got down by three goals early in the opening period, but Balcom made sure they wouldn’t be shut out for the seventh-straight game.

Felicia Nelson scored her second goal of the game 18:14 into the first period, giving SCSU a 3-0 lead. It took Balcom only 35 seconds to respond with a goal of her own.

Bemidji State controlled the puck deep in the Huskie zone, and Erin Cody (Fr., Roseville, Minn.) attempted a shot that was deflected behind the SCSU net. One of the Huskies attempted to clear the puck by passing it up the boards, but it was intercepted by Balcom who skated down on the right side of the net. She saw a small window and wasted no time in firing the puck from deep on the right side above the right shoulder of the goalie into the upper left corner of the net.

The goal was Balcom’s fifth of her career and the first by a member of the senior class this season.

St. Cloud State (10-5-3, 7-5-2 WCHA) notched one more goal in the second period to leave Bemidji with the two-game sweep and drop the Beavers to 1-14-3 on the season and 0-12-2 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

The first goal of the game was scored short-handed 12:24 into the first period. Nelson’s goal was the first time this season Bemidji State had allowed a short-handed goal. Alecia Anderson scored 17:25 into the opening frame off assists by both Megan McCarthy and Amy Currier. Danielle Hirsch recorded an assisted on Nelson’s second goal.

Laura Fast scored the final goal of the game 5:56 into the second period with assists from Brita Schroeder and Stacy Dey.

Emily Brookshaw (Sr., Webster, Wisc.) was in net for the Beavers and had 26 saves, while Ashley Nixon recorded the win after saving 34 shots.

The 35 shots attempted are the most this season for BSU, and this is the third time all year the Beavers outshot their opponent (35-30).

The Huskies went 2-for-3 on the power play, and the Beavers were 0-for-6 on their opportunities despite attempting 16 shots during their man-advantage chances.

Cody and Franny Dorr (So., Roseville, Minn.) both attempted four shots, while Jessica Pullar (Sr., Elk River, Minn.) had a phenomenal game with her eight shot attempts, leading all players.

Bemidji State will take the rest of the first semester off before returning to action Dec. 29-30 for a home series with Vermont. Game times are set for 2:07 p.m. for both games.

 

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