Bemidji State University

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Fifth-year goaltender Ava Hills turned aside all 28 shots she faced in her season debut, backstopping the Bemidji State University Women's Hockey team to a 1-0 victory over (RV) Minnesota State University, Mankato Saturday afternoon at Sanford Center. Hills earned her first collegiate shutout in her 42^nd career start as the Beavers collected their first Western Collegiate Hockey Association victory of the season.
 
Olivia Dronen broke a scoreless tie 5:58 into the third period with her second goal of the season, and Hills protected the one-goal advantage the rest of the way to secure her first win of the season and shutout. The victory moved the Beavers to 2-10-0 overall and 1-9-0 in WCHA play, while the Mavericks fell to 6-6-1 overall and 2-6-0 in conference action.
 
Both goaltenders controlled play throughout the opening 40 minutes. Hills stopped seven shots during the first period and added 13 saves in the second, while Minnesota State's Hailey Hansen denied each of Bemidji State's first eight shots on goal.
 
The Beavers nearly opened the scoring during a late first-period power play when Davina Davis struck the pipe with seven seconds remaining in the frame. Minnesota State answered with a shot off the post from Neely Hawn early in the second, but the teams remained scoreless entering the final period.
 
Bemidji State found another gear offensively in the third period, generating 12 of its 20 shots on goal during the final frame. Dronen delivered the breakthrough at 5:58, finishing a play set up by Davis to put the Beavers ahead 1-0. The goal was Dronen's second of the season and first game-winner, while Davis collected her fifth assist.
 
The Beavers' defense protected the lead through the final 14 minutes. Hills stopped all eight shots she faced in the third period, including four after Dronen's goal. Bemidji State also killed a Minnesota State power play with 3:15 remaining, with Hills turning aside the Mavericks' lone shot during the advantage.
 
Minnesota State pulled Hansen for an extra attacker with 37 seconds remaining, but Lola Macuiba blocked Kamryn Van Batavia's attempt with 13 seconds left before the Beavers closed out the victory.
 
Hills made seven saves in the first period, 13 in the second and eight in the third to complete the 28-save shutout. Dronen led Bemidji State with four shots on goal and blocked two shots, while Kasey Senden added three shots. Macuiba, Talya Hendrickson and Kate Johnson also blocked two shots apiece as the Beavers finished with 13 blocks.
 
Bemidji State held Minnesota State scoreless on all three of its power-play opportunities and went 0-for-3 with the advantage. The Mavericks finished with a 28-20 edge in shots and won 24 of 44 faceoffs, while Hansen stopped 19 of 20 shots in the loss.
 
The Beavers now prepare for a WCHA road trip to University of Wisconsin where the Beavers will battle the Badgers at Labahn Arena Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday.
 
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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