MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. - The Bemidji State University Women's Hockey team attempted a late comeback Friday night at University of St. Thomas but fell just short in their Western Collegiate Hockey Association series opener falling 4-2 to the Tommies at Saint Thomas Ice Arena.

The Beavers trailed 3-1 with just over 10 minutes to play before a goal from senior Taylor Nelson pulled the Beavers within one. However, a late goal by the Tommies sealed the fate for the Beavers earning UST its first conference victory of the season.

Senior Kayla Santl scored the first goal for the Beavers in the second period with Nelson's goal following in the third. Junior Abbie Thompson turned aside 30-of-34 shots in the loss as the Beavers fall to 1-15-1 (1-12-1 WCHA) on the season.
St. Thomas got off to a 2-0 lead halfway in the first period with a pair of goals 1:36 apart and carried the two-goal lead into the first intermission.
 
Bemidji State then pulled within one for the first time halfway through the second period with when Santl stole the puck while on the forecheck to score her third goal of the season.
 
BSU was unable to get the equalizing goal before the second intermission and 9:54 into the third period, St. Thomas extended its lead back to two. However, just 20 seconds later, Nelson scored her fourth of the season after converting on a two-on-one with freshman Hailey Armstrong who picked up her first collegiate assist on the play to pull the Beavers back within one.
 
Time would not be on the Beavers' side however, and with 5:02 remaining, UST would score once again to halt the Beavers' attempted comeback and earn the 4-2 victory.
 
Bemidji State's penalty kill denied the Tommies on its two chances in the game but its power play came up empty on its two chances as well.
 
The Beavers will try to salvage the series split tomorrow afternoon for game two against the Tommies at 2:01 p.m.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State women's hockey program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X or Instagram (@BSUBeaversWHKY), or like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers).
 
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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