Beavers open 2019-20 season by hosting Lindenwood
As the leaves change and the fall season approaches, excitement builds for the Bemidji State University women’s hockey team as the start of a fresh season draws closer and closer. After beginning the season with a 5-1 exhibition win against the University of Regina, the Beavers officially start the 2019-20 season by hosting Lindenwood University for a two-game, non-conference series at Sanford Center in Bemidji. The Beavers first host the Lions (0-2-0, 0-0-0-0 CHA) Friday at 6:07 p.m., followed by the series finale Saturday at 3:07 p.m.
The Beavers and Lions meet for just the 10th and 11th meetings in the two program’s histories in a series that dates back to 2011. Bemidji State has been dominant against the Lions and own the series record at 7-1-1 and have won the last three meetings in 2015 and 2016. Of the nine total games played, four have been in Bemidji and the Beavers are undefeated at home against the Lions. Bemidji State and Lindenwood last met in 2016 where BSU earned two wins and outscored LU 7-4 in the series. Six-year head coach Jim Scanlan is 3-1-0 coaching against the Lions while first-year head coach Shelley Looney faces the Beavers for the first time.
The Lions enter the second week of action after opening the season last weekend against No. 1 University of Wisconsin. The Lions fell in both games to the Badgers and were outscored 10-2 in the series. Wisconsin began the series with a 4-0 shutout Friday night and then earned a 6-2 win in game two for the series sweep. Junior Hannah Alt and freshman Lauren Dabrowski scored the lone goals for the Lions in the series.
Both of the Lions’ goals were scored on the power play this past weekend after earning 10 chances (.200) against the defending national champions which was the second highest total in the College Hockey America conference.
Five Lions recorded a point in the series with senior Courtney Ganske, sophomore Kayla Martinez and freshman Lokelani Antonio each tallying an assist. Alt led the team with six shots on goal while Gigi Pora followed with four. Sophomore Sophie Wolf started game one and allowed four goals but made 35 saves while sophomore Annika Asplundh started game two and was pulled after allowing three goals on six shots in the first 8:16. Wolf played a total of 111:26 minutes and has a goals against average of 3.77 and .910 save percentage.
Lindenwood returns five of its top six leading point getters from last season including leading scorer Jada Burke who was named to the CHA All-Rookie Team after posting 11 goals and five assists. Sierra Burt also returns after being named a CHA Second-Team selection after posting nine goals and 10 assists as a sophomore. In net, Wolf returns for her second season and was named a CHA All-Rookie Team selection in 2018-19.