MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – The Bemidji State University Women's Hockey team and Lindenwood University skated to a 2–2 draw in a tense matchup that remained deadlocked through overtime. Bemidji State opened the scoring in the first period and added another goal in the second, while goaltender Kaitlin Groess made 31 saves to preserve the tie.
 
Isa Goettl scored one goal on four shots and won six faceoffs. Morgan Smith recorded one goal and achieved a 75% faceoff win rate, winning 18 of her 24 attempts. Kate Johnson, Izy Fairchild and Hailey Armstrong each had assists for the Beavers.
 
The first period commenced with LU winning the initial faceoff. Bemidji State quickly took the lead at 1:35 when Goettl scored, assisted by Hailey Armstrong and Izy Fairchild. The Lions responded with persistent pressure, eventually tying the game at 18:16 through a goal by Zsofia Pazmandi, assisted by Tatiana Blichova. Despite several power-play opportunities for the Lions, Bemidji State's penalty kill, led by goaltender Groess, kept the score even as the period concluded 1-1.
 
Smith scored at 5:23 of the second period, assisted by Johnson to extend Bemidji State's lead to 2–1. The period was marked by Bemidji State's frequent offensive efforts, including a power play at 18:32 that did not result in a goal. LU had opportunities, but Groess made several key saves to maintain the advantage. A roughing penalty at 5:16 provided another power play for Bemidji State, but they could not capitalize before the period ended.
 
The third period featured a tightly contested battle as LU leveled the score with Bemidji State. At 4:15, Pazmandi netted the game-tying goal for the Lions, unassisted, marking her seventh goal of the season. Bemidji State had multiple opportunities but was thwarted by the Lions' defense and goaltender Lexington Secreto, who consistently turned away shots. Despite Bemidji State's late power play and persistent pressure, they could not break the deadlock, and the period concluded with a 2–2 draw.
 
In the overtime period, Bemidji State and LU both had opportunities to clinch the game, but neither team could convert their chances. Bemidji State's Smith won multiple faceoffs, setting up her team for potential scoring opportunities. Groess made crucial saves against shots from Blichova and Lucie Quarto to keep the score level. Armstrong's attempts were thwarted by Secreto, while Fairchild's shot hit the pipe with just over a minute left. Despite continuous pressure from both sides, the period ended scoreless, maintaining the deadlock.
 
The shootout period between Bemidji State and LU concluded with the Lions securing the win. Fairchild of Bemidji State missed the initial attempt against LU's goaltender, Secreto. Molly Henderson put the Lions ahead with a successful shot past Bemidji State's Groess. Smith's subsequent attempt for Bemidji State was thwarted by Secreto. After Blichova missed for LU, Pazmandi clinched the victory with a successful shot, ending the shootout with a 2–0 advantage for the Lions.
 
Bemidji State is now 4-10-2 on the season and returns to Sanford Center where it will resume Western Collegiate Hockey Association play against University of Minnesota Duluth Dec. 5-6.
 
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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