Bemidji, Minn. --- Minnesota State women's hockey lost to Bemidji State 4-2 in the first game of a two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association series on Friday at Sanford Center.
 
Minnesota State (3-15-1, 1-10-0-0 WCHA) and Bemidji State (9-10-2, 5-7-1-1 WCHA) played to a 1-1 tie through the first 20:00 of play. The Mavericks struck early – taking a 1-0 lead at 0:35 of the period when sophomore defenseman McKenzie Sederberg shot a puck on net from the neutral zone that took a fortuitous bounce past the Beavers' goaltender. Sederberg's goal – the first of her collegiate career – was assisted by senior defenseman Anna Keys. The Beavers tied the game at 16:12 of the period on a goal scored by Emily Bergland. 
 
The Mavericks were outscored 2-1 in the second period to make the score 3-2 Beavers at the end of two. Jacqueline Kaasa scored for Bemidji State at 1:17 to give her team a 2-1 lead, but sophomore forward Taylor Gulenchyn scored her second goal of the season to tie the game 2-2 at the 9:20 mark. Gulenchyn redirected a pass from freshman Brittyn Fleming – the team leader in assists (11) and points (14), through the five hole of the Beavers' goaltender. Freshman defenseman Jessica Kondas was credited with the secondary assist. Emma Terres responded with a goal at 18:53 of the period to put Bemidji State back in front 3-2. 
  
The Beavers' Abby Halluska scored the only goal of the third period to make the final score 4-2.
 
Junior goaltender Katie Bidulka (1-11-0) made 30 saves for the Mavericks and Lauren Bench (4-4-0) stopped 19 shots for the Beavers. 
 
Minnesota State finished 0-of-3 on the power play and Bemidji State went 1-of-3.
 
The Mavericks were outshot 34-21 in the game.
 
Minnesota State and Bemidji State face each other again on Saturday at 3:07 p.m., for the conclusion of their two-game WCHA series.

Watch head coach John Harrington's postgame interview below.