NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Bemidji State University Women's Hockey team and Merrimack College played to a 2–2 draw Sunday night in their non-conference series finale at Lawler Arena. Bemidji State opened the scoring with two goals in the first period, capitalizing on early opportunities, but the Warriors responded with one goal in each of the first two periods to level the score. Despite outshooting the Warriors 31 to 15, Bemidji State could not find the go-ahead goal in overtime.
 
Sophomore Morgan Smith opened the scoring with her second goal of the series and eighth of the season while senior Raeley Carney scored her third goal of the season. Kasey Senden, Talya Hendrickson, Katy Comstock and Hailey Armstrong each recorded assists. Sophomore Kaitlin Groess made back-to-back starts and made 13-of-15 saves and stopped all three shootout attempts she faced.
 
The first period began with both teams engaged in a tight contest, exchanging control through faceoffs and shot attempts. Bemidji State took the lead at 12:22 when Smith scored with assists from Senden and Comstock. The Warriors responded quickly at 9:57 with a goal by Avery Anderson, assisted by Maria Lindberg and Maddie Crowley-Cahill, leveling the score. Bemidji State regained the advantage at 3:46 as Carney found the net, courtesy of assists from Armstrong and Hendrickson. The period concluded with Bemidji State holding a 2–1 lead over the Warriors.
 
The Warriors tied the game at 2–2 early in the second period when McKenzie Cerrato scored an even-strength goal at 15:15, assisted by Maggie Kime and Anderson. Bemidji State responded with a series of offensive efforts, but Adreanna Doucette made crucial saves to maintain the tie. Both teams exchanged penalties, leading to power play opportunities, but neither capitalized on the advantage. The period ended without further scoring, keeping the game level at two goals apiece.
 
Bemidji State and the Warriors played a scoreless third period marked by persistent defensive efforts and missed opportunities. Groess made crucial saves for Bemidji State, stopping multiple attempts by Lindberg and Cerrato in the early minutes. The Warriors' Jordan Nishi hit the post late in the period, and Bemidji State managed a late power play following a tripping penalty on the Warriors, but neither team could break the deadlock before time expired.
 
The overtime period between Bemidji State and the Warriors ended scoreless, maintaining the tension throughout the session. Bemidji State's Armstrong was active early, registering two shots within the first minute, both saved by Doucette. Smith also tested Doucette at 3:34, but the Warriors' goaltender held firm. Bemidji State's defense blocked several attempts by the Warriors, with Lola Macuiba notably stopping shots from Kime and Emma Pfeffer in the final minute. The period concluded without a decisive goal, resulting in a tie at the end of overtime.
 
The shootout began with Bemidji State's Senja Leeper successfully converting her attempt against the Warriors' goalie, Doucette, putting Bemidji State ahead. The Warriors' Lindberg then missed her opportunity against Groess, maintaining Bemidji State's advantage. Armstrong of Bemidji State followed with a miss, but subsequent failed attempts by Cerrato and Kime of the Warriors ensured the shootout ended in favor of Bemidji State.
 
Bemidji State finishes its non-conference schedule with a 3-1-2 record and are now 5-12-3 overall. The Beavers now return to Minnesota where they resume Western Collegiate Hockey Association next weekend at University of St. Thomas.
 
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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