PITTSBURGH, Pa. (84 Lumber Arena) — The Bemidji State University women’s ice hockey team scored three unanswered goals in the third period to secure a 5-2 win over Robert Morris University in its 2014-15 season opener. The win was the first for new head coach Jim Scanlan and makes the Beavers 1-0-0 for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

Madison Hutchinson (D, So., Manitou, Manitoba), Kaitlyn Tougas (F, Jr., Thunder Bay, Ontario) and Megan Lushanko (F, Jr., Chisago City, Minn.) each had a goal and an assist and five other Bemidji State players registered a point in the victory. In net, sophomore Brittni Mowat (G, So., Glenboro, Manitoba) made 18 saves to get the win, and the Beavers outshot Robert Morris, 35-20.

Bemidji State took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Whitney Wivoda (F, R-Jr., Fairbanks, Alaska) at 19:16 of the first period after the teams skated to a near scoreless first period. The Beavers tacked on a power-play goal from Hutchinson in the second stanza to make it 2-0. The goal was Hutchinson’s first as a collegiate player.

Robert Morris chipped away at the Beavers’ lead first in the second with a power-play goal by Rebecca Vint (18:46) and an even-strength goal by Erin Stanlewski at 8:08 in the third period to tie the game, 2-2.

The Beavers controlled the final 11 minutes of the game, outshooting Robert Morris, 11-6. Stephanie Anderson (F, R-Jr., North St. Paul, Minn.) netted her first goal of the season on the power play before Tougas tacked on a breakaway at 14:08 of the period to give the Beavers the 4-2 lead. Lushanko would add an insurance marker at 18:00 to insure the Bemidji State victory.

Bemidji State will look to improve to 2-0-0 for the first time in program history in the series finale against the Colonials Saturday afternoon. The puck drops at 2:05 p.m. from Pittsburgh.

(Story courtesy of BSU Media Relations)