BEMIDJI, Minn. (Sanford Center) -- Claire Vekich scored her first collegiate goal, Hannah Hogenson posted 33 saves, and the Bemidji State University women's hockey team made a charge down the stretch, but the University of Minnesota held on for a 3-2 victory as the teams wrapped up a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at Sanford Center.

Reece Hunt led all BSU players recording a pair of assists, while five different Beavers logged a point in the game.

The Beavers found themselves down early. Abigail Boreen tipped her fifth goal of the season past BSU goaltender Hogenson just 49 seconds after the opening faceoff, but with their back against the wall, the Beavers responded. On their first power-play opportunity of the game, Hunt found Vekich in the slot and the freshman placed it neatly inside the left post at the 11:23 mark of the period. The goal not only stood at the first for the Coleraine, Minn. native, it also marked the first time the Beavers recorded a power-play goal since March 1, 2020--a stretch spanning 29 games and parts of three seasons. Minnesota would add a goal from Ella Huber on the power play late to take a 2-1 lead into the first break.

The second period was a back-and-four affair with each team netting 13 shots, highlighted by an even-strength goal by Peyton Hemp at the 12:46 mark to put Minnesota 3-1 with 20 minutes to play.

Down two goals, the Beavers went toe-to-toe with the nationally-ranked Gophers in the third. The team broke through at the 14:07 mark when Hunt flicked a puck off the sidewall to Paige Beebe.  The senior forward navigated through traffic before dumping off to Graysen Myers at the top of the right faceoff circle. The Fargo, N.D. native unleashed a rocket that found the back of the net.

BSU pulled Hogenson during the final minute of the game and generated two scoring chances, but was unable to score the equalizer.

The Beavers finished the night 1-for-2 on the power play, while Minnesota went 1-for-3 with an extra player. 

Bemidji State, now 2-5-1 overall and 1-5-0 in WCHA play will hit the road this week and make a trip to Madison, Wis. to battle the University of Wisconsin in a two-game league series. Opening face-off is set for 2:01 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from LaBahn Arena.

--bsu--