Bemidji State University

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Women's Hockey team scored first and pulled within one during the third period but was unable to complete the comeback in a 4-2 loss to the University of Minnesota on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis, Minn.
 
Izy Fairchild opened the scoring 8:17 into the game, giving the Beavers an early 1-0 lead with her second goal of the season and second goal in as many days. Carmen Bray and Maddie Kaiser earned assists on the even-strength goal.
 
Minnesota responded with two goals before the end of the opening period. Adrianna Milani tied the game at 12:16 before Gracie Graham put the Gophers ahead 2-1 at the 14:32 mark.
 
The Gophers increased their lead early in the second period when Sarah Paul scored at 2:42. Minnesota generated 20 shots on goal during the period, but Sophia Villanueva turned aside 19 of them to keep the Beavers within striking distance entering the third.
 
Bemidji State capitalized on its first power-play opportunity of the final period to cut the deficit to one. Elly Klepinger scored her first career goal at 9:10, converting a setup from Kate Johnson and Lola Macuiba to make it a 3-2 game.
 
The Beavers earned another power-play opportunity less than four minutes later but were unable to produce the tying goal. Bemidji State pulled Villanueva for the extra attacker with 2:06 remaining and registered late attempts from Davina Davis, Bray and Morgan Smith. Minnesota sealed the result when Milani scored into the empty net with 54 seconds remaining.
 
Villanueva finished with 32 saves, including 19 in the second period and nine in the third, while allowing three goals during 58:48 in net. Bemidji State's penalty kill held Minnesota scoreless on all three of its power-play opportunities.
 
The Beavers finished 1-for-2 on the power play and recorded 23 shots on goal. Minnesota produced 36 shots and held a narrow 30-28 advantage in faceoff wins. Fairchild paced Bemidji State with four shots on goal and won eight of her 13 faceoffs, while Smith won a team-high 12 draws.
 
Macuiba and Davina Davis each blocked two shots as the Beavers totaled nine blocked attempts. Bray finished with an assist and two shots, while Olivia Dronen, Macuiba, Johnson and Morgan Smith each recorded two or more shots.
 
Bemidji State moved to 1-3-0 with the loss, while Minnesota improved to 4-0-0.
 
The Beavers return home next weekend and host University of Minnesota Duluth Friday and Saturday.
 
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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