Nicole Hensley recorded her first collegiate shutout and the Lindenwood women's hockey team defeated No. 9 Bemidji State by a 1-0 score on Friday night at the Lindenwood Ice Arena. The victory was the second in program history over a nationally-ranked NCAA Division I team, and its second this season over a member of the WCHA.
 
Hensley made 29 saves on the night, including 11 in the final period. She was helped by a defense that blocked 19 shots in the game, and Lindenwood was only on the penalty kill for 4:13. The shutout was just the second in the program's NCAA era, and first since a 4-0 win over Sacred Heart on Jan. 20, 2012.
 
Neither team could crack the scoreboard until less than 10 minutes remained in the game. Katie Nokelby got Lindenwood's scoring play started with a shot from the blue line that went just wide. Jordyn Constance got the puck off the glass and fed it in front of the goal where Alyssa West was waiting. West slipped it past the Beavers' goalie for the only goal of the game at the 10:38 mark.
 
Hensley had to make six more saves after that point. Bemidji State's biggest chance came in the final seconds when it had a six-on-four advantage for 14 seconds. The Beavers got one shot on goal but that was it as the Lady Lions sealed their biggest win of the season.
 
Lindenwood was scoreless on four power-play chances, and Bemidji State was 0-for-three on the power play. The final shot totals were 29 for Bemidji State and 25 for Lindenwood.
 
Brooke Peden led Lindenwood with four blocks, followed by Tae Otte with three. Shara Jasper had a team-high seven shots. The other two skaters on the ice for Lindenwood's goal were Sarah Bobrowski and Xylia Lang.
 
Lindenwood and Bemidji State will play game two of their series tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. at the Lindenwood Ice Arena.