MADISON, Wis. – The Bemidji State University Women's Hockey team fell to No. 1 University of Wisconsin, 6-1, in their Western Collegiate Hockey Association series finale Sunday afternoon. Despite the loss, Bemidji State's goaltender Ava Hills made 48 saves, handling a barrage of 54 shots from Wisconsin. The Beavers' lone goal came in the second period from Morgan Smith, but the Badgers' consistent scoring across all three periods secured their victory.
 
Smith scored the one goal and now has scored in three straight games and extended her point streak to four totaling six points (3g-3a) over the last four games. Isa Goettl recorded an assist for the fourth straight game and extended her point streak to five (2g-5a). Hills made 48 saves, two shy of a career high mark, but falls to 1-6-1 on the season.
 
The first period began with the Badgers establishing an early lead as Caroline Harvey scored unassisted at 17:17, putting the hosts ahead. Wisconsin extended their advantage to 2–0 at 15:15 when Lacey Eden found the net, aided by Kirsten Simms and Ava Murphy. Bemidji State's Hills made several key saves to keep the deficit manageable despite Wisconsin's offensive pressure. The period concluded without additional goals, as the Badgers maintained a two-goal cushion heading into the intermission.
 
The second period saw the Badgers extend their lead with a goal at 7:58, scored by Simms and assisted by Vivian Jungels and Eden, bringing the score to 3–0. Bemidji State responded at 5:52 when Smith found the back of the net with an assist from Goettl, making it 3–1. However, Wisconsin quickly restored their three-goal advantage with Kelly Gorbatenko scoring at 4:55, assisted by Harvey and Laila Edwards. Simms closed the period with her second goal at 00:13, assisted again by Eden and Adéla Šapovalivová, pushing the score to 5–1. Hills made several key saves for Bemidji State, but the Badgers maintained the upper hand throughout the period.
 
Claire Enright extended Wisconsin's lead with a goal at 1:55, assisted by Hannah Halverson, making it 6-1. Bemidji State had several power-play opportunities, including a two-skater advantage, but was unable to capitalize as Ava McNaughton thwarted their efforts in net. Despite multiple shots from Paige Smith, Morgan Smith, and Bray, Bemidji State could not overcome the deficit. The period concluded with the Badgers maintaining their five-goal advantage, with Hills making several crucial saves for Bemidji State.
 
The Beavers now return home where they'll host Minnesota State University, Mankato at Sanford Center Jan. 30 before traveling to Grand Rapids, Minn., to face the Mavericks at Yanmar Arena Saturday, Jan. 31 in part of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Face-Off Classic.
 
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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