BEMIDJI, Minn. -- On a hot, sunny afternoon the BSU defense was again up to the challenge shutting out visiting Universot of Minnesota-Crookston. The Beavers took the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory 3-0 behind two goals from junior forward Katie Meinhardt (Maple Grove, Minn.).
The story of the day was the defense for Bemidji State. The Beavers allowed just six shots on goal all afternoon keeping pressure on the Minnesota Crookston attack. Kari Torgerson turned in a flawless first half stopping all three shots she faced, until she was replaced at half for freshman Jessica Meath to gain some goaltending experience. Meath also stopped three Golden Eagle shots to keep them out of the net.
The offensive charge for BSU started the game fast with with a goal in the ninth minute and then finished with a flurry, scoring two goals in the last eight minutes.
The first tally for the Beavers came via some nifty passing by the forwards. Lindsey Natwick (Jr.; Bismarck, N.D.) hurried the ball upfield to Ashley Lehmeier (Jr.; Sartell, Minn.) who split the defense with a pass to a cutting Katie Meinhardt. Meinhardt beat the goalie from five yards out to put BSU out in front, 1-0.) Meinhardt’s goal was her fourth of the year. The assists were the third for Natwick and fourth for Lehmeier.
The defensive intensity picked up for each side for the next 70 minutes, but a corner kick gave the Beavers an opportunity in the 82nd mintue. Team scoring leader Kelly Hyvare (Fr.; Coon Rapids, Minn.) sent a bender from the corner over the head of Golden Eagle netminder Mikael Laajala and snuck it just underneath the crossbar for an unassisted goal and a 2-0 Bemidji State lead. The goal was Hyvare’s sixth of the season.
Just four minutes later Meinhardt picked up her second score of the game on a cross from Lindsey Natwick. A pass over the head of Natwick sent her chasing the ball into the corner. After she played a cross in front of the net Meinhardt shook loose from her defender and headed in her fifth goal of the season.
The 3-0 victory moved the Beavers’ record to 7-2-3 on the season and 5-1-1 in the NSIC. BSU remains in second place in the conference behind defending champion Winona State who is undefeated against the NSIC.
After three straight home games the Beavers travel Tuesday to Bismarck, N.D. to take on the University of Mary at 1:00. Next weekend BSU travels to Wayne State (Neb.) on Saturday and then to Southwest Minnesota State on Sunday for NSIC matches. The Beavers tied Wayne State earlier this season, 2-2, and beat Southwest Minnesota State, 4-2.
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