Bemidji State University

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Bemidji State University Women's Hockey team scored on its first shot of the game just 22 seconds in, but No. 1 Ohio State University answered with five consecutive goals to defeat the Beavers 5-1 in their Western Collegiate Hockey Association series finale Saturday afternoon in Columbus, Ohio.
 
Talya Hendrickson gave Bemidji State an early lead just 22 seconds after the opening faceoff scoring the fifth fastest goal to start a game in program history. Davina Davis and Morgan Smith assisted on Hendrickson's second goal of the season.
 
Ohio State evened the score at 6:22 when Kaia Malachino scored her fifth goal of the season off an assist from Rylee Bartz. The Buckeyes outshot Bemidji State 14-3 during the opening period, but Sophia Villanueva made 13 saves to send the teams into the first intermission tied 1-1.
 
Bemidji State began the second period on the power play, but Ohio State killed the remaining time before taking its first lead at 2:38. Malachino scored her second goal of the afternoon off an assist from Jordan Baxter to make it 2-1.
 
The Buckeyes extended their advantage at 7:25 when Leah Wicks scored her first goal of the season, assisted by Macy Rasmussen and Ema Tothova. Maxine Cimoroni then made it 4-1 at 11:20 with assists from Kassidy Carmichael and Jocelyn Amos.
 
Malachino completed her hat trick 1:18 into the third period, scoring her seventh goal of the season off assists from Alida Korte and Ellah Hause to produce the 5-1 final.
 
Villanueva played all 60 minutes and stopped 35 of the 40 shots she faced, recording at least 11 saves in every period. Izy Fairchild led the Beavers with three shots on goal, while Hendrickson and Smith each recorded two. Lola Macuiba paced Bemidji State with three blocked shots.
 
Bemidji State played a penalty-free game and held Ohio State without a power-play opportunity. The Beavers finished scoreless on two power plays, while the Buckeyes held a 40-13 advantage in shots and won 37 of the game's 61 faceoffs. Genny Klein made 12 saves to earn the victory for Ohio State.
 
Bemidji State will have next weekend off from action for its first bye week of the season and will next play at home against Minnesota State University, Mankato, Nov. 13-14.
 
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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