BEMIDJI, MN (Gophersports.com) – Cara Piazza broke a 1-1 tie in the first minute of the third period as the No. 3 Golden Gopher women's hockey team skated to a 2-1 win over No. 7 Bemidji State on the road at the Sanford Center Friday night.

Sydney Baldwin gave the Gophers a 1-0 lead on an unassisted goal midway through the first period, but BSU's Ciscely Nelson evened the score at 1-1 at 15:55 of the opening frame. The teams played a scoreless second period before Minnesota (23-3-0, 18-3-0 WCHA) regained the lead on Piazza's power-play goal at the 49-second mark of the third period. Hannah Brandt and Milica McMillen assisted on Piazza's game-winner.

"I'm really proud of our players for the way they battled and competed," head coach Brad Frost said. "It was a hard-fought game against the No. 7 team in the country. We knew it was going to be tight."

Earlier this season, the Gophers swept the Beavers at home at Ridder Arena with 4-0 and 8-3 wins, but the teams saw a much tighter match-up tonight.

Bemidji State (17-8-2, 12-8-1-0 WCHA) received 25 saves from goaltender Brittni Mowat as the Gophers outshot the Beavers, 27-17. Amanda Leveille made 16 saves for Minnesota.

Minnesota's NCAA-best power play was one-for-one while holding the Beavers scoreless on one opportunity with the man advantage.

The Gophers and Beavers wrap up this weekend's series at 4 p.m. CT Saturday afternoon when Minnesota looks to earn the road sweep over BSU.

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