Bemidji State University

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Bemidji State University women's hockey team scored twice in a 12-second span during the opening period and never looked back, defeating the University of Maine 4-1 Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis, Minn. The victory was the first of the season for the Beavers, who improved to 1-2-0.
 
Four different players found the back of the net for Bemidji State, while sophomore goaltender Sophia Villanueva stopped 26 of the 27 shots she faced to earn her first victory of the season. The Beavers outshot the Black Bears 31-27 and held Maine scoreless on all three of its power-play opportunities.
 
Avery Achterkirch opened the scoring 7:11 into the first period with her first collegiate goal. Hailey Armstrong and Kasey Senden collected assists as the Beavers took an early 1-0 lead.
 
Just 12 seconds later, Kate Johnson doubled the advantage with the eventual game-winning goal. Katy Comstock and Senden assisted on the play, giving Senden two points in the opening 7:23. It was also Johnson's first goal of the season.
 
The Beavers carried their 2-0 lead into the second period behind Villanueva, who stopped all five shots she faced in the first and turned away all 13 during the middle frame.
 
Maddie Kaiser extended the lead with a power-play goal at 14:34 of the second period. Morgan Smith and Carmen Bray earned assists as Kaiser scored her first goal of the season and sent the Beavers into the second intermission leading 3-0.
 
Izy Fairchild added to the advantage 8:42 into the third period. Kaiser recorded her second point of the afternoon with the primary assist, while Olivia Dronen added the secondary helper. The goal was Fairchild's first of the season and pushed the Beavers' lead to 4-0.
 
Maine spoiled Villanueva's shutout bid with 28 seconds remaining when Raegan Wurm scored to produce the final 4-1 margin. Tiani Makokis and Kendall Sundby assisted on the goal.
 
Kaiser and Senden led the Beavers with two points apiece. Achterkirch, Johnson, Kaiser and Fairchild each scored their first goals of the season, while eight different Beavers recorded at least one point.
 
The Beavers finished 1-for-3 on the power play and successfully killed all three Maine opportunities. In addition to her 26 saves, Villanueva stopped all 13 shots she faced during a scoreless second period and eight of nine in the third.
 
The Beavers return to Ridder Arena tomorrow afternoon when the Beavers battle No. 3 University of Minnesota at 2 p.m.
 
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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