MADISON, Wis. – The Bemidji State University women’s hockey team fell to No. 1 University of Wisconsin, 5-1, Friday night in Western Collegiate Hockey Association action. The Beavers held a 1-0 lead over the top-ranked Badgers after sophomore Jacqueline Kaasa scored her third goal of the season but five goals by the Badgers in the second and third periods handed the Beavers (1-5-1, 0-3-0 WCHA) their fifth loss of the season.

Kaasa tallied her team-leading, third goal of the season with just 4:42 remaining in the first period to put the Beavers ahead 1-0 after the first period. However, the Badgers showed why they’re the top-ranked team in the nation by responding with three goals in the second period. Lauren Williams, Maddie Rolfes and Abby Roque each scored goals during the period.

The Badgers then came out and extended their lead in the third period with goals from Claudia Kepler and Sophia Shaver before head coach Jim Scanlan pulled goaltender Erin Deters with 12: 49 left to play. Freshman Kerigan Dowhy saw her first action in net for the Beavers coming in to make 12 saves in the game’s final 12 minutes.

Senior Alexis Joyce and junior Emily Bergland each assisted on Kaasa’s goal while Deters finished with 28 saves in 46:16, to fall to 0-3-1 on the season.

The Beavers and Badgers close out the series tomorrow with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CST.

For more information on the Bemidji State hockey program, follow the Beavers on Twitter (@BSUBeavers), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) or sign up for the TXTUpdates from BSUBeavers.com text-messaging system through the "Multimedia" pull down menu on the main page of BSUBeavers.com.

Nestled in Northern Minnesota’s wooden region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, BSU sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

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