BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University women's hockey team opened the 2026-27 season Friday night with a 5-2 setback to No. 3 University of Minnesota at Sanford Center. The Golden Gophers used a five-goal run over the first two periods before the Beavers responded with a pair of goals over the final 20 minutes.
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Minnesota struck twice in the opening period and added three more goals in the second to build a 5-0 lead before Bemidji State found the scoreboard late in the middle frame. The Gophers outshot the Beavers 37-13 in the contest and converted one of two power-play opportunities.
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The visitors opened the scoring at 13:30 of the first period when Madeline McCullough netted an unassisted goal. Less than three minutes later, Adrianna Milani doubled Minnesota's lead with her first goal of the season to send the Gophers into the first intermission ahead 2-0.
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Minnesota extended its advantage early in the second period as Molly Jordan scored the eventual game-winning goal just 4:22 into the frame. Goals from Gracie Graham and a second tally from Milani, this one on the power play, pushed the lead to 5-0 midway through the period.
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The Beavers continued to battle and broke through with 14 seconds remaining in the second period.
Olivia Dronen scored her first goal of the season off an assist from
Shelby Sandberg to make it 5-1 heading into the final intermission.
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Bemidji State added another goal at 7:47 of the third period when
Lola Macuiba scored her first collegiate goal.
Talya Hendrickson picked up the assist on the play as the Beavers trimmed the deficit to 5-2.
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In goal,
Sophia Villanueva made 32 saves in her season debut for Bemidji State, including 14 stops in the second period. The Beavers blocked 21 Minnesota shot attempts, led by three blocks from
Kate Johnson and
Kasey Senden.
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Minnesota received a two-goal performance from Adrianna Milani, while Madeline McCullough and Molly Jordan each recorded a goal and an assist. Goaltender Hannah Clark stopped 11 shots to earn the victory.
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The Beavers and Golden Gophers conclude the series Saturday afternoon at Sanford Center.
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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.
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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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