BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University Women's Hockey freshman
Izy Fairchild scored her first collegiate goal and freshman goaltender
Kaitlin Groess made 25 saves but the Beavers fell just short against No. 3 University of Minnesota losing 2-1 Friday afternoon at Sanford Center.
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Minnesota's Natalie Mlynkova scored both goals for the Gophers as they improved to 7-3-1 (3-3-1 WCHA) while the Beavers fell to 1-9-1 (0-7-0 WCHA).
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Mlynkova opened the scoring 5:01 into the first period with a power-play goal, her fourth of the season. She then scored 11:38 later with an even-strength marker to extend the Gophers lead to two.
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The Beavers would strike in the second period while on a power play when Fairchild secured a loose puck to the right of Minnesota goaltender Hannah Clark and batted it home into the back of the net to score her first collegiate goal.
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However, Clark would deny the Beavers on their next 11 shots and hold onto victory for the Gophers. She turned aside all 10 of the Beavers' shots in the third period to claim her third victory of the season.
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Bemidji State finished 1-for-6 on the power play in the game scoring a power-play goal for the first time since Oct. 18 and generated 12 shots on goal during the advantage.
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The Beavers totaled 19 shots in the game while Clark made 18 saves. Minnesota produced 27 shots with Groess earning 25 saves but falls to 1-7-0 on the season.
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The Beavers will have another shot to upset the third-ranked Gophers tomorrow afternoon for game two at Sanford Center. Puck drop is slated for 2:02 p.m., and can be watched online at BigTenPlus.com or on TV at FOX9+.
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For more information on the Bemidji State men's and women's hockey programs, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X or Instagram (@BSUBeaversMHKY/@BSUBeaversWHKY), or like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers).
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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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