Bemijdi State opened up a two-goal lead after 40 minutes of play, then held on to beat St. Cloud State 2-1 Saturday night at the National Hockey Center in Huskies’ head coach Jason Lesteberg’s first game behind the bench.
The first period was scoreless until BSU’s Alicia Kinsman scored an unassisted power-play goal for the Beavers on a wraparound play to put Bemidji State up 1-0 after one period.
The Beavers struck again in the second, when Lil Raymond scored to make it 2-0. Amber Fryklund and Sarah Zuelke got assists on the play.
In the third, SCSU lit the lamp with freshman Krista Simonson’s first collegiate goal on a power play, bringing the Huskies within one goal. But Bemidji held off the late surge for the 2-1 win.
Bemidji State’s Anik Cote got the win for the Beavers, improving to 1-1-0 on the season by stopping 18 shots. Senior goalie Laura Gieselman took the loss for the Huskies. She made 20 saves in the game.
These two teams will meet again Sunday afternoon at the National Hockey Center for the second game of the series. Game time is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.