The Bemidji State soccer team lost two hard-fought games against NCC-member Augustana and the University of Minnesota-Morris at the Cougar Classic Tournament in Morris, Minn., Saturday, Sept. 6, and Sunday, Sept. 7. The Beavers were defeated 4-2 by Augustana on Saturday, and lost 2-1 to UM-Morris on Sunday.

Augustana got on the board first in the 23rd minute when Kristin Weatherly beat BSU goalkeeper Kari Torgerson to make it 1-0. Augustana’s Erin Seidel then broke open the game with goals at the 25th minute and 51st minute to put the Vikings out in front 3-0.

The Beavers would answer though, as Katie Meinhardt put BSU on the board in the 67th minute on assists from Diane Kalin and Tegan Moehn to register her first collegiate goal. Only two minutes later, Lindsey Natwick brought the Beavers within one with an unassisted goal to make the score 3-2.

That was as close as the Beavers would get, however, as Augustana put the game away when Erin Seidel picked up the hat trick to put the Vikings up 4-2.

On Sunday, the Beavers took on the Cougars from Minnesota-Morris. The Cougars struck first in the 26th minute of the first half, on a goal by Nichole Rick, to give UM-Morris the early lead.

BSU responded late in the first half when Katie Meinhardt scored her second goal of the tournament on an assist from Lindsey Natwick in the 40th minute. The two teams were tied up 1-1 at halftime.

The match remained tied until the 62nd minute of the second half, when Mari Sandom scored the game winner to put UM-Morris ahead 2-1. The Beavers were unable to answer Sandom’s goal and the Cougars prevailed 2-1.

Goalkeeper Kari Torgerson and Katie Meinhardt were named to the Cougar Classic All-Tournament Team for the Beavers. Torgerson finished the weekend with 27 saves and Meinhardt picked up her first two collegiate goals.

The Beavers are now 1-3-1 on the season and will travel to Marquette, Mich., to participate in the Northern Michigan Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 13, and Sunday, Sept. 14. BSU will play Saginaw Valley State at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, and Northern Michigan at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.