COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State University narrowly edged the Bemidji State University women's hockey team 2-1 Saturday in their Western Collegiate Hockey Association series finale in Columbus, Ohio. Senior goaltender Ava Hills made 50 saves for the Beavers in her first start for the green and white falling just short of the upset victory.
 
Junior Hailey Armstrong scored her sixth goal in as many games with a power-play goal to give the Beavers a 1-0 lead midway through the first. Junior Kate Johnson assisted on the goal while also tallying three shots on goal. Morgan Smith also added a helper and registered one shot.
 
In her first start as a Beavers since transferring from Saint Anselm College, Hills stopped 50-of-52 shots including 29-of-29 after the Buckeyes scored their second goal of the game. After stopping 20-of-20 shots last night in a relief appearance, finishing the series stopping 70-of-72 shots for a .972 save percentage.
 
The first period started with Bemidji State gaining an early advantage through a power-play goal by Armstrong at 11:08, assisted by Johnson and Smith. Ohio State responded with persistent offensive pressure, but Hills stood strong on the ice for Bemidji State, making crucial saves. A roughing penalty on Jocelyn Amos opened a window for Bemidji State, but OSU later capitalized on even strength. Emma Peschel equalized for OSU at 18:29, with helpers from Hilda Svensson and Kassidy Carmichael. The frame ended in a 1-1 tie.
 
OSU took control early in the second frame with consistent offensive pressure. At 7:29, Svensson scored the go-ahead goal for the Buckeyes, assisted by Mira Jungåker and Leah Wicks, pushing their lead to 2-1. Bemidji State had an opportunity with a power play following a cross-checking penalty on Carmichael at 16:18, but they were unable to capitalize. OSU's aggressive play continued, as they outshot Bemidji State throughout the period. Hills stood strong in goal for Bemidji State, making multiple saves to keep her team within reach as the period ended with a 2-1 score in favor of OSU.
 
OSU's defense held strong in the third frame against Bemidji State, maintaining their 2-1 lead from earlier in the game. The period saw several missed opportunities from both teams. OSU's penalty kill was effective, as they successfully neutralized a Bemidji State power play following a roughing penalty on Maxine Cimoroni at 19:34. Bemidji State pulled their keeper in the final minute but was unable to capitalize, resulting in OSU securing the win.
 
Bemidji State finished 1-for-3 while on the power play while its penalty kill was outstanding going 4-for-4 against the Buckeyes' power-play unit.
 
Bemidji State falls to 2-4-0 overall and 0-4-0 in conference play after the loss while OSU improved its record to 4-0-0 overall and 2-0-0 in conference action.
 
The Beavers will have their first bye week of the season next weekend but then returns to the road Oct. 31-Nov. 1 with a road series at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State women's hockey program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X or Instagram, or like them on Facebook.
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and women's hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
 
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