CROOKSTON, Minn. - Alysha Domiano (Fr., Dayton, Minn.) scored her first career goal and Lauren Olivares (Jr., El Paso, Texas) moved into the top 10 in goals scored in school history as the Bemidji State soccer team defeated the University of Minnesota, Crookston 2-1 Sunday afternoon in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matchup.

The Golden Eagles used two goalkeepers in the contest, and Bemidji State had its way with Anna Ogaard for the second time this season.

Ogaard played the first half in net for UMC, and Domiano and Olivares both scored in the half to give BSU an early 2-0 advantage. Ogaard had only one save and was replaced by Athena Mussenden, who played the entire second half for the Golden Eagles. In a non-conference matchup earlier this season, Mussenden played 82 minutes in net for UMC and had 13 saves, but Ogaard finished the game and allowed the game-winning goal in overtime to Ashlee Ellefsen (Fr., Hugo, Minn.).

Domiano put BSU ahead 17:22 into the game with a header off a corner kick by Kara Smyth (Fr., Cary, Ill.), and Olivares scored with less than five minutes to play in the opening half in what proved to be the eventual game-winning goal. She was assisted by Kelly Hyvare (Jr., Coon Rapids, Minn.) and Jamie Ford (So., Edina, Minn.).

Kelsey Palmer notched a goal for UMC in the 78th minute with assists by Alyssa Jensen and Megan Gibeault to prevent being shut out, but it wasn’t enough as the Beavers held off the late rally to improve to 7-6-3 overall and 3-1-1 in the NSIC.

Samantha Ross (Fr., Stillwater, Minn.) played in net for BSU and had eight saves with just the one goal allowed. She improved her record to 2-0-2 for the season. Ogaard was credited with the loss, and Mussenden had four saves in her half of play.

Olivares now has eight career goals, with three coming this season. She is tied with Ford, Kristy Hodapp and Whitney Sengthao for ninth all-time in goals scored at BSU. Olivares is also tied for ninth in school history with her two game-winning goals.

Hyvare’s assist moved her into a tie with Christina Hicks (Sr., Minnetonka, Minn.) for second place in school history with 14 assists in her career. Lindsey Natwick (2002-05) is first with 22 career assists.

BSU is now tied with Upper Iowa for third place in the conference with Northern State (5-0-1) and Winona State (4-1-0) leading the way.

Bemidji State didn’t dominate this game as much as the Sept. 15 matchup with UMC, but the result was the same. The Beavers defeated Minnesota Crookston 1-0 in overtime in the earlier matchup at the BSU Soccer Field.

The Beavers now own a seven-game win streak over the Golden Eagles (4-11-0, 2-3-0 NSIC) dating back to Oct. 6, 2002. BSU has outscored UMC 16-3 during the current win streak, and improved its record to 10-5-1 all-time against Minnesota Crookston.

Next up for BSU is a weekend road trip to the University of Mary and Northern State University Oct. 20-21.

NOTES: Domiano is one of only four Beavers to start every game this year...Samantha Welch had six shots and four shots on goal, and no other Golden Eagle had more than two...Smyth and Hyvare had two shots apiece, and six other Beavers had one...BSU had two corner kicks to Minnesota Crookston’s four...Bemidji State had 10 shots to UMC’s 13...The Beavers had six fouls to the Golden Eagles’ five...BSU was called for three offsides and UMC was called for four...Becky Thorbjornsen was handed the lone yellow card of the game...Bemidji State improved its road record to 3-2-3 this season.

--bsu--