MADISON, Wis. – The Bemidji State University Women's Hockey team fell to No. 1 University of Wisconsin, 3-2, in overtime in game two of their Western Collegiate Hockey Association Playoffs Quarterfinal series at LaBahn Arena. Bemidji State scored with 25.5 seconds remaining to force overtime with the Badgers but UW's Laila Edwards scored 1:14 into overtime to earn the victory. The loss ends the Beavers' 2025-26 season with Wisconsin winning the best-of-three series.
 
Morgan Smith led the effort with a goal and an assist, contributing to a plus-2 rating. Hailey Armstrong added a goal on two shots, enhancing the team's offensive presence. Isa Goettl provided depth with an assist and two blocked shots, while Raeley Carney excelled in the faceoff circle, winning 12 of 17 draws for a 70-percent success rate. Goaltender Ava Hills stopped 44-of-47 shots excelling in the crease.
 
The first period began with Bemidji State and the Badgers in a defensive standoff, as both teams struggled to find the back of the net. UW controlled the faceoff at the start, leading to a series of shots, including several by Kelly Gorbatenko and Finley McCarthy, but Hills kept Bemidji State secure with multiple saves. Bemidji State's offense saw attempts from Senja Leeper and Smith, with Smith narrowly missing a scoring opportunity as her shot hit the pipe at 6:53. The period ended scoreless, with both teams unable to capitalize on their chances.
 
Bemidji State initially extended its lead to 1–0 in the second period when Armstrong scored at 6:36 with an assist from Smith. However, the Badgers responded at 4:23 as Maggie Scannell leveled the score, assisted by Ava Murphy and Marianne Picard. As the period approached its conclusion, UW took advantage of a power play opportunity, with Adéla Šapovalivová scoring at 0:31, assisted by Caroline Harvey and Lacey Eden, to secure a 2–1 lead. Hills made several key saves throughout the period to keep the game close for Bemidji State.
 
In the third period, Bemidji State's Smith scored the game-tying goal with just 25 seconds remaining, assisted by Goettl and Carmen Bray. This came after Bemidji State had pulled its goalie for an extra attacker at 1:57. Throughout the period, Bemidji State's defense, including key blocks by Leeper and Hannah Graves, helped neutralize the Badgers' offensive attempts during a power play and kept the score close. Hills made several crucial saves, maintaining the tie until Smith's late goal secured a 3-2 victory for Bemidji State.
 
Laila Edwards secured the victory for UW with a sudden-death game-winning goal at 1:14 in the first overtime period, assisted by Kirsten Simms and Claire Enright effectively ending the Beavers season.
 
Bemidji State ends the 2025-26 season at 6-27-3 overall.
 
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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