BEMIDJI, Minn. -- The Bemidji State University soccer team scored two late goals to defeat Southwest Minnesota State, 4-2. BSU’s Megan Wallner (So.; Bemidji, Minn.) scored twice to lead the Beavers to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory.

The Beavers got on the board early in the first half with Wallner’s first goal of the game. Just 52 seconds into the game, Wallner lofted a deep shot just over the fingertips of Mustang goalie Kayla Borstad. The unassisted goal was Wallner’s third of the season.

Southwest Minnesota State answered in the 14th minute to tie the game at 1-1. Andrea Loosbrock got free from the Beaver defense and picked up rebound to beat a diving Kari Torgerson (Jr.; New Hope, Minn.).

The Bemidji State attack wasted no time in retaking the lead on Wallner’s second goal of the game. The goal came via a loose rebound from a shot taken by BSU’s Christina Hicks (So.; Minnetonka, Minn.) that Borstad was unable to control for the Mustangs. The goal, assisted by Hicks was Wallner’s fourth score of the season.

“Megan Wallner played a very big game for us today,” said BSU Head Coach Jim Stone.

Before the half, SMSU was able to find the back of the net once more on a shot from Nicole Pederson to know the game at 2-2.

The second half became a defensive battle until the 75th minute when Bemidji State’s Kelly Hyvare (Fr.; Coon Rapids, Minn.) ran past the Mustang defense to track down a deep pass. SMSU goalie Kayla Borstad came out to meet Hyvare who controlled the rebound after her first shot attempt was blocked and easily found the back of the net with Borstad out of position. Hyvare’s fourth goal of the season ties her for the team lead with Wallner.

“It was good to see Kelly Hyvare get her first conference goal,” commented Stone, “She played extremely well for us today.”

Just two minutes later, senior Lindsey Natwick (Bismarck, N.D.) iced the game for the Beavers putting a free kick in the bottom left corner of the net past a diving goaltender. Natwick’s third goal of the 2005 campaign gave BSU a commanding 4-2 lead.

Torgerson and the Beavers defense kept the Mustangs away from the net for the entire second half to improve the team record to 6-2-2 on the season and 4-1-0 in the NSIC. Torgerson’s record improved to 5-2-1 on the season.

“We started the way we wanted to,” said Stone, “And even after giving up the lead twice, we showed a lot of maturity and held our composure to come out and play at a higher level in the second half.”

The Beavers are back at home tomorrow as they host Wayne State College in the first meeting of the two team since last season’s 2-1 BSU victory in Bemidji.

“Wayne State has played well this season against some tough competition, taking the #2 and #3 teams in our region each to overtime,” commented Stone, “It will be a big game for us.”

The 4-2 victory today gave the Beavers their third consecutive victory, as they have outscored the opponents 9-2 in the three game stretch.

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