BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University Women's Hockey freshman goaltender made 52 saves in her collegiate debut to keep the Beavers close with No. 5 Ohio State University but the Buckeyes escaped Bemidji with a 3-0 victory and series sweep at Sanford Center.
 
Groess stopped 52-of-55 shots and held the Buckeyes to just one goal through the first 41:55 of play including a scoreless first period. It is the most saves by a Bemidji State freshman since Erin Deters stopped 61-of-63 shots at University of Wisconsin on Jan. 17, 2015.
 
The Beavers competed hard against the defending national champions and held the Buckeyes (2-2-0, 2-2-0 WCHA) scoreless through the first period after Groess stopped 12-of-12 shots in the frame.
 
Ohio State finally broke through late in the second period when Joy Dunne scored at the 14:46. Groess turned aside 19-of-20 shots in the second period. The Buckeyes scored twice in the final period to capture the series sweep after Jordyn Petrie and Josie St. Martin potted a pair of goals.
 
The Beavers' penalty kill excelled in the game denying the potent Buckeye's power play on all four of its chances.
 
The Beavers now prepare for their first road trip of the season and travel east to Moon Township, Penn., to face Robert Morris University Oct. 4-5.
 
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).
 
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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