COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Bemidji State University women’s hockey team fell 7-1 in its series finale with No. 3/4 Ohio State University Saturday afternoon in Western Collegiate Hockey Association play. Freshman goaltender Hannah Hogenson and junior Lexi Baker combined for 61 saves in the game while Hogenson made her collegiate debut stopping 48-of-53 shots in 40 minutes of play.

Bemidji State falls to 1-4-1 (1-4-1 WCHA) on the season while the third-ranked Buckeyes improve to 4-2-0 (4-2-0 WCHA).

Ohio State opened the scoring quickly into the first period when Paetyn Levis scored just 4:56 into the first period. Bemidji State responded just 3:15 later when Lindsey Featherstone scored her first goal of the season to tie the game at one. However, at 13:15 of the period, Tatum Skaggs retook the lead for the Buckeyes when she scored her second goal of the season. The first period ended with the one-goal lead for the Buckeyes while Hogenson kept the Beavers close by making 25 saves during her first collegiate period.

The Buckeyes came out and dominated the second period as well outshooting the Beavers 26-4 in the middle frame and were able to find the back of the net three times during the period. Jennifer Gardiner scored first during the period at the 6:38 mark while Jenna Buglioni made it 4-1 with just 5:49 left. Gardiner added another goal just 1:34 after Buglioni’s goal to end the scoring during the frame. After two periods, Hogenson recorded 48 saves off of 53 shots.

Head coach Jim Scanlan switched goaltenders in favor of Lexi Baker to start the third period for her first action of the season. Baker made 13 saves during the period but the Buckeyes were able to add to goals to their lead that were scored by Riley Brengman and Tatum Skaggs. 

The Beavers return home to host Minnesota State University, Mankato for the third of four meetings this season. Puck drop is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 8 at 3:07 p.m., followed by game two Saturday at 2:07 p.m.

Nestled in Northern Minnesota’s wooden region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, BSU sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men’s 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).

--bsu—