BEMIDJI, Minn. - The Bemidji State University soccer team locked up a third-place finish in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season race with a 2-0 shutout over the University of Minnesota-Crookston. On a cold, blustery day Christina Hicks (Jr., M, Minnetonka, Minn.) and Jennifer Clifford (Fr., M, Ham Lake, Minn.) each found the net to defeat the Eagles in BSU’s regular season finale.

After a scoreless first half, Hicks received a pass from Danielle Egeberg (Fr., M, New Hope, Minn.) and dribbled the ball down the right side of the field before unleashed a bending shot from the corner of the 18-yard box. Hicks’ shot flew just over the outstretched fingertips of UMC goalkeeper Athena Mussenden to give BSU a lead it would not relinquish.

Egeberg’s assist marked her seventh helper of the season, which ties her for the BSU all-time single season record set last year by Lindsey Natwick.

The Beavers tacked on an insurance goal in the 78th minute. Corner kick specialist Lauren Olivares (So., M, El Paso, Texas) lofted a high-bender and Clifford nailed a header to the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.

On defense, goalies Kari Torgerson (Sr., New Hope, Minn.) and Jessica Meath (So., Bethel, Minn.) each played a half for the combined shutout. Torgerson faced no shots on a goal and Meath made two saves. The shutout was the seventh of the season for Bemidji State.

The win gives the Beavers a 10-6-1 record overall, including a 6-3-0 record in the league. BSU will be ranked third in the conference after finishing in a three-way tie with Concordia St. Paul and Northern State. After losing 2-1 to CSP earlier this season, and beating NSU 3-1, the tiebreakers leave the Beavers third.

BSU will take on sixth-place finisher Wayne State on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m., in the first round of the NSIC Tournament.

--bsu--