BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Women's Hockey team fell to No. 5 University of Minnesota Duluth, 4–1, Friday evening in game one of their Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at Sanford Center. Bemidji State had a hot start taking an early lead with a first-period goal, but UMD responded with four unanswered goals, including a shorthanded, empty-net goal.
Head coach
Amber Fryklund expressed pride in her team's effort despite the defeat. "We really challenged our team, just the importance of how we play," she said, emphasizing the focus on their process. Fryklund highlighted the performance of their goaltender, stating, "I thought she made some really key saves in some key moments, especially in the first and second there." Despite facing a formidable opponent, Fryklund noted, "We knew they were going to come out hard in the second and the third. They're a good team, good teams like that know how to close out games." She remained optimistic about her team's performance, noting their resilience and ability to reset after missed opportunities. The Beavers will aim to regroup and capitalize on their chances in their next encounter.
Junior defenseman
Olivia Dronen scored her first goal of the season while senior
Raeley Carney and freshman
Maddie Kaiser recorded assists on the goal. Senior goaltender
Ava Hills made 23 saves in a losing effort.
The first period opened with UMD winning the initial faceoff, but Bemidji State quickly gained momentum with
Raeley Carney winning a series of faceoffs. Dronen scored the lone goal of the period at 10:10, assisted by Carney and
Maddie Kaiser, giving Bemidji State a 1–0 lead.
Ava Hills made several saves to preserve the lead, while the defense blocked multiple shots, including efforts by Caitlin Kraemer and Ashley Messier. Despite an early power play opportunity for the Bulldogs, Bemidji State maintained their lead into the first intermission.
UMD took the lead in the second period with an even-strength goal by Rae Mayer at 9:26, assisted by Mary Kate O'Brien, breaking the 1-1 tie. Bemidji State's defense held strong initially, with blocked shots from Dronen and
Hailey Armstrong, while Ève Gascon saved multiple attempts from
Kate Johnson and
Hailey Armstrong. At 18:17, Thea Johansson scored what would become the game-winning goal, assisted by Caitlin Kraemer and Danielle Burgen, to secure a 2-1 advantage for the Bulldogs going into the final period. Despite Bemidji State's efforts, including a power play opportunity following a Rae Mayer penalty, they were unable to capitalize and equalize the score.
The Bulldogs extended their lead over Bemidji State in the third period with an early goal from Grace Sadura at 14:35, assisted by Thea Johansson. Despite Bemidji State's attempts to respond, with several shots on goal saved by Ève Gascon, UMD maintained control. Bemidji State pulled their goalie for an extra attacker during a late power play but conceded an empty-net goal to Ida Karlsson at 1:22, solidifying a 4–1 victory for the Bulldogs.
Bemidji State earned two power-play opportunities in the game but failed to score while its penalty kill denied the Bulldogs on both of their two power plays.
BSU outshot the Bulldogs 31-27 in the game but were stymied by Bulldog goaltender Éve Gason who made 30 saves.
The Beavers will attempt to salvage the series split tomorrow afternoon with game two at Sanford Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:02 p.m.
For more information on the Bemidji State women's hockey program, tickets or schedules, visit
BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on
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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 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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