BEMIDJI, Minn. - Bemidji State University goalkeeper Kari Torgerson showed why she was named an NSCAA/Adidas All-American last season with a brilliant effort in net to help BSU garner a 1-1 tie against the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Junior captain Megan Wallner (M, Bemidji, Minn.) scored to give the Beavers an early lead, but UMD stormed back with a flurry of attacks in the second half before capitalizing on a BSU defensive mistake.
In the 22nd minute, BSU’s Tracy Ringgenberg (Sr., D, Baldwin, N.D.) to the ball down the right wing and sent a high cross to the far post where Wallner was slashing to the goal. Wallner made just one touch beating Bulldog goalie Briana Francisco for her second goal of the season. Ringgenberg notched her first assist of the year.
Meanwhile, Minnesota Duluth was mounting an attack, but couldn’t solve Torgerson until midway through the second half. After a goal kick on their own end of the field UMD rushed the ball of field with a crisp pass and Laura Mayerle found Abbey Bollig, who raced past the defense and blasted a breakaway shot past Torgerson to tie the score. The goal was Bollig’s team-leading seventh score of the season.
The Bulldogs kept control of the ball much of the second half, but Torgerson’s game came up a notch to meet the challenge and send the game into overtime.
In the two overtime periods, the Beavers mounted scoring opportunities, but offsides calls and near-misses end the game in a tie.
Torgerson made 11 saves in the game and her counterpart, Francisco made five.
The Bulldogs outshot the Beavers 26-13, and had three corner kicks compared to just one for BSU.
BSU will continue its homestand with two more games on its own pitch against Northern State and NSIC-newcomer Mary (N.D.). The games will be played at 1 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday.
Notes: After losing the first nine games of the all-time series against UMD, the Beavers are 1-0-1 in the last two meetings between the teams ... With 11 saves Kari Torgerson moved into seventh on the NCAA career saves list.
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