DULUTH, Minn. -- Between Friday and Sunday games in the Advantage Emblem Cup in Duluth, Minn., Bemidji State played non-conference opponent Dakota Wesleyan. The Beavers scored three times in the first half en route to a 4-0 shutout.

Junior Christina Hicks (Minnetonka, Minn.) scored first for BSU and Kelly Hyvare (So., Coon Rapids, Minn.) followed up her hat trick in Friday’s game with a goal of her own.

In net, Jessica Meath (So., Bethel, Minn.) turned away all comers in her first action of the season. Meath recorded three total shutouts last season.

“(Our defense) is definitely heading in the right direction,” BSU head coach Jim Stone said. “We are definitely coming together in that aspect of our game.”

Hicks rebounded a shot off the foot of Tracy Ringgenberg (Sr., Baldwin, N.D.) and beat the Tigers’ goalkeeper. Three minutes later, Hicks and Sara Susick (Blaine, Minn.) combined to feed Hyvare the ball for her fourth goal of the young season.

“What (Kelly) is really doing well is finishing,” Stone said. “She has played good, but she is really taking advantage of her opportunities and she’s finishing at a high percentage.”

Near the end of the first half, freshman Danielle Uphoff (Brainerd, Minn.) notched her first collegiate goal on a feed from Mary Stoltz (Sr., St. Paul, Minn.).

Lauren Olivares added a late goal on a penalty kick to round out the scoring for BSU.

The Beavers will continue action in the Advantage Emblem Cup, hosted by St. Scholastica, tomorrow against Northland College at 3 p.m. BSU beat Northland last year in the Cup handily by a score of 6-0.

--bsu--