BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University junior Taylor Nelson scored the game-winning, overtime goal during the three-on-three extra period to hand the Beavers a 3-2 victory over Lindenwood University Friday night to kick-off the 2022-23 season. Nelson scored her first career game-winning goal just 1:28 into the extra period to hand the Beavers their first win of the season.
 
Sophomore Alyssa Watkins kicked-off the Beavers' 2022-23 season early in the first period by scoring the Beavers' first goal of the season just 6:43 into the first frame to equal her goal total from a season ago. After junior goaltender Hannah Hogenson turned aside all 10 shots by the Lions in the first frame, Lindenwood finally broke through with a goal from Rachel Goff with just 6:26 remaining in the second period.
 
After the second intermission, Bemidji State got off to a quick start in the third period when junior Calli Forsberg scored her first career goal just 1:52 into the final frame. However, Lindenwood was able to tie the game again when Sarah Davies scored off a bouncing buck with 10:06 remaining.
 
Neither team would score as the horn for the end of the third period sounded and after a two-minute intermission, both teams would line up a five-minute, three-on-three overtime period. Bemidji State controlled most of the puck in the period fired the lone shot on goal during the period. It was a quality one as Nelson ended the game just 1:28 into the frame after a beautiful back-door feed from junior Gabbie Smith.
 
Seven Beavers recorded a point in the game including the three goal scorers in Watkins, Forsberg and Nelson while Ella Anick, Shelby Breiland, Kendra Fortin and Smith all added assists. For Breiland, it was also her first career point after assisting on Watkins' goal.
 
Hogenson collected the win between the pipes for her first of the season and ninth of her career. She finished the game by stopping 25-of-27 shots from the Lions while her counterpart, Natalie Ferenc, made 31-of-34 saves.
 
Both the Beavers and Lions each had two power-play opportunities during the game but neither team could score with the extra skater.
 
Bemidji State will attempt for the series sweep of the Lions tomorrow afternoon when the two teams meet at Sanford Center for game two at 3:01 p.m.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State athletic programs, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on Twitter or Instagram (@BSUBeavers), or like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers).
 
Nestled in Northern Minnesota's wooded region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
 
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