BEMIDJI — In protecting a two-goal, third-period lead, the mettle of the Bemidji State women’s hockey team was tested.

It started with sophomore goaltender Kaitlin Groess’ breakaway save on No. 14 St. Thomas’ Keara Parker with 11 minutes left. Three minutes later, Groess stopped Ella Boerger’s shot on an odd-player rush. Groess made point-blank saves on Ellah Hause and Ilsa Lindaman with just under six minutes left as well.

Even after Chloe Boreen pulled UST within one of a tie with four minutes left, the Beavers clamped down, hushing the Tommies’ late push to escape with a 2-1 win.

“We talk about being gritty and hard to play against,” BSU head coach Amber Fryklund said. “St. Thomas was pushing really hard. We said to them, going into the third period, ‘In the last 20 minutes, what are

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