University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
1-0-0, 1-0-0
Bemidji State
0-1-0, 0-1-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Bemidji St. | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Gophers Roll to 5-2 Season-Opening Win at Bemidji State
10/2/2026 9:03:00 PM | Women's Hockey
BEMIDJI, MINN. – The No. 3-ranked University of Minnesota women's hockey team opened the 2026-27 season with a 5-2 victory over Bemidji State on Friday night at the Sanford Center.
The Gophers controlled the early action, outshooting the Beavers 7-1 through the first media timeout before breaking through with 6:30 remaining in the opening frame. Maddie McCullough intercepted a Bemidji State pass to create a breakaway opportunity, skating into the slot before firing a shot five-hole to score the first goal of the season and the first of her career.
Adrianna Milani doubled the Gopher lead just 2:34 later, scoring her first collegiate goal. Ava Lindsay found Milani in the high slot, where the freshman unleashed a shot that glanced off the Beaver goaltender's glove and into the net. Sloane Hartmetz recorded her first career point with a secondary assist on the play.
Minnesota continued its offensive push in the second period, adding three goals in a span of 4:06.
Molly Jordan opened the scoring in the frame at the 4:22 mark, finishing off a setup from Chloe Primerano. Primerano skated in from the high slot, drawing the defense before finding Jordan, who tucked the puck home for her first goal of the season.
Just 42 seconds later, Gracie Graham extended the Gopher lead to 4-0. From the right faceoff circle, Sarah Paul sent a pass through the Bemidji State defense to Graham at the back door, where she finished from just outside the crease.
Milani added her second goal of the night at the 8:28 mark, converting on the power play. Emma Kreisz sent a tape-to-tape pass from the left faceoff circle to Milani at the opposite dot, and the freshman fired a shot glove-side high and into the net to give Minnesota a 5-0 advantage.
The Beavers answered with 14 seconds remaining in the second period, scoring on a rebound opportunity to cut the Gopher lead to 5-1 heading into the final frame.
Bemidji State added another goal 7:47 into the third period, finding the back of the net on a well-placed shot from the left faceoff circle to make it 5-2.
The Gophers held the Beavers scoreless the rest of the way to secure the 5-2 season-opening victory.
With the win, Minnesota improved to 1-0-0 overall and 1-0-0 in WCHA play, while Bemidji State fell to 0-1-0 overall and 0-1-0 in conference play.
Quotable
"It was good overall, but it definitely felt like a first game," said head coach Greg "Boom" May. "There were a lot of things that I really loved that we did in spurts and then there were things that we need to clean up for tomorrow. Again, all expected from the first game of the year."
May on First Win as Head Coach
"I'm just super happy and super proud. I'm not out there playing, it's up to our players that are out there scoring goals and making saves. I'm so proud to be their coach and super happy for them."
Notable
- Greg "Boom" May recorded his first win as head coach of the Minnesota Gophers.
- McCullough scored her first career goal, recorded her first career multi-point game and tallied the first goal for the Gophers in the 2026-27 season.
- Milani recorded her first career goal and first career multi-goal game.
- Hartmetz recorded her first career points and first career multi-point game.
- Four Gophers recorded multiple points.
- Minnesota outshot Bemidji State, 37-12.
Up Next
The Gophers return to the Sanford Center on Saturday for game two against the Beavers. Puck drop is set for 2:00 p.m. CT, with all the action streaming live on B1G+ and FOX9+.
