The Bemidji State University women’s ice hockey team opened the 2013-14 season with a nonconference victory over Lindenwood University. Kaitlyn Tougas (F, 5-4, So., R, Thunder Bay Ontario) scored a goal with 1:14 left in third period to steal the opener.

The Beavers made good on two of three (.667) power-play opportunities and rode a two-point night from Tougas to victory.

The Beavers got on the board first with a power-play goal by Ivana Bilic (D, 5-7, So., L, Coquitlam, British Columbia) at the 10:15 mark. Tougas was credited with an assist on the play. The Lions answered with a power-play goal of their own to tie the score at one before the period would come to an end (17:48).

BSU’s Lauren Miller (F, 5-7, Fr., L, Brockville, Ontario) was whistled for hooking 11 seconds into the second period and LU would make the Beavers pay. The Lions took the lead, 2-1, on their second power-play goal of the evening just 34 seconds later (0:45).

Bemidji State responded with a power play goal by Kristine Grenier (F, 5-6, Jr., R, St. Leon, Manitoba) to tie the score at the 8:55 mark. Her first goal in the green and white knotted the score at two.

The score would remained locked at 2-2 for the remainder of the second period and through the first 17 minutes of the third, but when senior Tess Dusik (F, 6-0, R, Oak Bluff, Manitoba) found Tougas with 80 seconds to play, Tougas, BSU’s top-returning scorer, buried her first goal of the season and second point of the night to put the Beavers in the win column.

Between the pipes for the Beavers, freshman Brittni Mowat (5-7, Fr., L, Glenboro, Manitoba) got her first career start and earned her first career win. The freshman turned aside 18 shots, while allowing just two goals in her collegiate debut.

With the victory, the Beavers are now unbeaten in their last four season openers (3-0-1).

The squads will return to the ice Saturday at 6:54 p.m. to settle the series.