WINONA, Minn. - In the NSIC Tournament Third Place game, the Bemidji State University soccer team lost a close game to Wayne State College. As the game remained tied 2-2 through two overtimes the teams battled in a shootout. BSU came up just short losing the shootout 4-3.

The Wildcats got on the board early in the action. A pass from midfielder Kelly O’Connor setup MaryAnne Liebentritt with a goal to put Wayne State out to a 1-0 lead just six minutes into the game.

The Bemidji State attackers responded quickly with team point scoring leader Kelly Hyvare (Fr.; Coon Rapids, Minn.). Hyvare stole a Wayne State pass and beat two defenders and Wildcat goalkeeper Jamie Anderson for her ninth goal of the season. The goal was unassisted and tied the score 1-1.

Despite giving up the early goal, the BSU defenders held Wayne State’s attack off balance for the rest of the first half with tough defense and solid goalkeeping from junior Kari Torgerson (New Hope, Minn.).

In the second half, BSU jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the 65th minute. A Lindsay Natwick (Sr.; Bismarck, N.D.) shot was blocked by Wayne State defenders and Ashley Lehmeier leaped into a crowd, managing to push the ball over to a wide open Megan Wallner (So.; Bemidji, Minn.) who found the back of the net from 10 yards out. Wallner’s goal was her seventh of the season, while Lehmeier was credited with her fifth assist of 2005.

Wayne State answered with a goal to tie the score 2-2 just 12 minutes later. This time Ann-Marie Lind scored for the Wildcats, with the assist credited to Cassidy Goc.

Torgerson collected 11 saves in the match for Bemidji State.

The last 13 minutes of regulation and both overtimes remained scoreless, with the teams deadlocked in a 2-2 tie. In NSIC playoff action, rules call for a five-member shootout if teams are tied after two overtime periods.

Erin Foss (Sr.; Bismarck, N.D.) shot first for BSU and scored, but was answered by Wayne State. Next, up was Sara Susick (So.; ) who scored but was answered by the Wildcats as well. BSU’s Megan Wallner shot next, but was stopped and Wayne State answered taking a one-point shootout lead. Christina Hicks (So; Minnetonka, Minn.) scored for the Beavers, but WSU put the goal in net also. Finally, for the Beavers Tegan Moehn (Jr.; Ramsey, Minn.) was stopped, ending the Beavers’ hopes with a one-point shootout loss.

The Beavers ended the 2005 season 12-4-7 on the season. The 12-win total was a school record for BSU topping last season’s total of 11 wins.

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