University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Bemidji State
Gophers Set to Open 30th Season at Bemidji State
10/1/2026 10:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 3-ranked Minnesota Women's Hockey team opens its 30th season this week, travelling to Bemidji State for a two game slate at the Sanford Center. Games are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2 at 6:00 p.m. CT and Saturday, Oct. 3 at 2:00 p.m. CT. Both games will stream live on B1G+ and FOX9+.
#3 Minnesota (0-0-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) at Bemidji State (0-0-0, 0-0-0 WCHA)
Date: Oct. 2, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. CT
Stream: B1G+/FOX9+
Location: Sanford Center, Bemidji, MN
#3 Minnesota (0-0-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) at Bemidji State (0-0-0, 0-0-0 WCHA)
Date: Oct. 3, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. CT
Stream: B1G+/FOX9+
Location: Sanford Center, Bemidji, MN
Scouting the Beavers
Bemidji State also opens its 2026-27 campaign this weekend. The Beavers went 6-27-3 last season and finished eighth in the WCHA. BSU was picked to finish eighth in the 2026-27 WCHA preseason coaches' poll with seven points. Junior forward Morgan Smith returns after leading the Beavers with 13 goals and 15 assists last season. Head coach Amber Fryklund enters her third season at the helm with a 12-57-4 career record.
Inside the Series
The Gophers hold a 103-9-7 all-time record against Bemidji State, including a 31-game winning streak. The teams met four times last season, with Minnesota sweeping both series and outscoring the Beavers 31-8.
2026-27 Roster Preview
Minnesota returns 17 players from last season, including two of its top three goal scorers in Bella Fanale and Ava Lindsay. Emma Kreisz and Madison Kaiser return at the faceoff dot, while Sarah Paul enters her second season with the Gophers. On defense, junior Chloe Primerano returns after recording her second consecutive 30-point season and a career-high 10 goals in 2025-26. She is joined by Molly Jordan and Gracie Graham, who each recorded at least 15 points last season. In goal, Hannah Clark enters her third season after posting career bests in goals-against average (2.08) and save percentage (.920) last year. Sophomore Layla Hemp returns after recording a 2.14 goals-against average and .912 save percentage as a freshman.
Incoming Impact
Minnesota welcomes nine newcomers, including three key transfers. Julia Schalin arrives from Mercyhurst after recording 63 points on 23 goals and 40 assists during her collegiate career. She also represented Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Defenseman Lauren Goldsworthy joins the Gophers after two seasons at Minnesota State. She recorded a career-high seven goals and 48 blocked shots last season. Ashley Allard transfers from UConn after helping the Huskies win two Hockey East Tournament championships. She posted a career-high 28 points last season and won 61.3 percent of her faceoffs. Minnesota also welcomes six freshmen: Canadians Maddie McCullough, Rachel Piggott and Adrianna Milani, along with Americans Sloane Hartmetz, Katya Sander and Payton Rolli.
Four Straight at No. 3
For the fourth consecutive year, Minnesota opens the season ranked No. 3 in both the USCHO and USA Hockey national polls.
Behind the Bench
Greg "Boom" May was named Minnesota's head coach on March 22, 2026, becoming the third head coach in program history. May previously served as the Gophers' associate head coach from 2023-26, helping Minnesota to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and a 2025 NCAA Frozen Four berth. May also served as head coach at Augsburg from 2021-23, leading the Auggies to two NCAA tournament appearances and the 2022 Frozen Four. He was named MIAC Coach of the Year in 2022. May was an assistant coach for the U.S. Women's U18 National Team that won gold at the 2026 IIHF U18 Women's World Championship. May is joined on staff by General Manager Jessica Scott, assistant coach Marty Sertich, and assistant coaches and former alumni Winny Brodt Brown and Amanda Leveille.
Preseason Honors
Minnesota was picked to finish third in the WCHA preseason coaches' poll. Junior defender Chloe Primerano was named to the Preseason All-WCHA Team, while freshman forward Adrianna Milani was selected as the WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year. Minnesota received 35 points in the poll, behind Ohio State (48) and Wisconsin (44). Primerano recorded a career-high 10 goals and 30 points last season, giving her 61 points through her first two seasons with the Gophers. Milani joins Minnesota after a standout year with Canada's National U18 Team. She led all skaters with nine points (five goals, four assists) during Canada's three-game series against the United States this summer. She also recorded 13 points (10 goals, three assists) at the 2026 U18 Women's World Championship, helping Canada to a silver medal and earning All-Star Team honors.
Starting Strong
Minnesota owns a 26-3-0 all-time record in season openers and has outscored opponents 145-32 in those games. The Gophers opened last season with a 7-1 win over Boston College.
Quest for Eight
Minnesota begins its pursuit of an eighth national championship after winning seven NCAA titles in 2000, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016.
