MADISON, Wis. – The Bemidji State University Women's Hockey team fell to No. 1 University of Wisconsin 10-3, in game one of their Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. Bemidji State opened strong with three goals in the first period, marking the first time they scored three goals in a single period against Wisconsin since February 8, 2003. This impressive start also led to the most goals Bemidji State has scored against Wisconsin since January 11, 2020. However, they were unable to contain the Badgers' offense, which answered with three goals of their own in the first period and scored eight unanswered goals.
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Morgan Smith led the team's effort with one goal and two assists, including a power-play goal, while registering five shots on goal.
Isa Goettl contributed with a goal and an assist, finishing with two shots and one blocked shot and extended her point streak to four games.
Hailey Armstrong added to the offense by scoring once and providing an assist, tallying three shots on goal.
Kaitlin Groess, in goal, made 45 saves including 21 in the first period but earned the loss.
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Bemidji State opened the scoring at 16:46 when Goettl netted the first goal, assisted by Smith and Armstrong. The Badgers responded at 12:03 with a goal from Kirsten Simms, assisted by Caroline Harvey and Lacey Eden, tying the game. Harvey put the Badgers ahead at 9:13 with an even-strength goal, assisted by Simms and Adéla Šapovalivová. Bemidji State equalized at 7:54 with Armstrong scoring, assisted by
Carmen Bray and Smith. Smith then gave Bemidji State a power-play lead at 4:44, assisted by Goettl. However, Laila Edwards scored on a power play for Wisconsin in the final second of the period, assisted by Harvey and Simms, leaving the teams tied at 3–3 at the break.
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The Badgers expanded their lead early in the second period with a power-play goal by Harvey at 17:56, assisted by Edwards and Simms. Shortly after, Simms netted an even-strength goal at 15:04, with assists credited to Šapovalivová and Eden, bringing the score to 5–3. Bemidji State attempted to respond with several shots, including a blocked attempt by
Talya Hendrickson. Harvey completed her hat trick with an unassisted goal at 3:34, cementing a commanding 6–3 advantage for the Badgers by the end of the period. Despite late power-play opportunities, Bemidji State could not find the back of the net.
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The Badgers extended their lead in the third period, beginning with Simms completing a hat trick at 18:09, assisted by Eden and Šapovalivová. The Badgers continued to dominate as McKayla Zilisch netted a goal at 12:30, benefiting from a feed by Harvey. Eden further widened the gap with a goal at 4:02, assisted by Šapovalivová and Mackenzie Jones. The Badgers capped off their scoring with Claire Enright's goal at 1:11, with assists from Jones and Laney Potter, finalizing a decisive 10-3 victory.
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The Beavers and Badgers will play a Sunday matinee for their series finale tomorrow. Puck drop is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CST at LaBahn Arena.
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For more information on the Bemidji State women's hockey program, tickets or schedules, visit
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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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