BISMARCK, N.D. - Christina Hicks (Minnetonka, Minn.) scored her first goal of the season, and it came at the right time for the Bemidji State soccer team.

The senior forward scored in the 98th minute against the University of Mary to give the Beavers a 2-1 overtime victory Saturday afternoon.

Both Bemidji State and U-Mary struggled offensively early in the game, with the teams combining for four shots on goal in the opening half. BSU got on the board first when Jamie Ford (So., Edina, Minn.) dribbled through the defense and around the Marauder goalkeeper in the 56th minute for her fourth goal of the season. The goal marked the fourth-straight game where the Beavers have scored first.

A little more than 10 minutes later, Shanda Lester received a pass from Becky Beall and notched the equalizer, sending the game into overtime. The last time BSU went into overtime after giving up a late goal was Oct. 7 when the Beavers fell in the extra frame to Minnesota-State Moorhead 2-1. They were also defeated by U-Mary 3-0 earlier in the season (Sept. 22) at the BSU Soccer Field.

Hicks made sure both streaks would end Saturday. She received a pass from Sara Susick (Sr., Blaine, Minn.) and buried a shot into the left side of the goal with less than two minutes remaining in the first overtime. The two seniors hooked up for their first goal and assist of their respective seasons.

Susick has now recorded an assist in all four seasons with the Beavers and has six for her career. Hicks recorded the fourth game-winning goal of her career, moving her into a tie for third all-time at Bemidji State.

Samantha Ross (Stillwater, Minn.) continues to be solid in the net for the Beavers during her freshman campaign. She recorded four saves while allowing just the one goal in 98:23 of action to improve her season record to 3-0-2. Ross has started the last three games in net for BSU and has given up only one goal in each game.

Brannigan Coyle played the entire game in net for UM. She took the loss after giving up both goals and saving only two shots.

This is the first time this season Bemidji State (8-6-3, 4-1-1 NSIC) has been more than one game over or under the overall .500 mark. The NSIC record is also the best conference start in school history, tied with the 2005 squad that also started 4-1-1. U-Mary (10-6-0, 4-3-0 NSIC) came into the contest ranked No. 7 in the NCAA Central Regional Rankings, but will likely fall in next weeks’ rankings after losing to BSU.

This was the second overtime victory for the Beavers this season, which is the most overtime wins in a single season in school history. Bemidji State is now 2-8 all-time against U-Mary, with both victories coming in the last three meetings.

Ford continues to move up the BSU record books. Her goal gives her nine for her career and moves her into a tie for sixth all-time at Bemidji State. She is currently tied with Megan Wallner (Sr., Bemidji, Minn.), Kelly Lessman (1999-2002) and Ashley Lehmeier (2003-06).

Bemidji State will now travel to Aberdeen, S.D. Sunday for a 1 p.m. showdown with Northern State University. The Wolves own a 6-0-1 conference record and are ranked No. 8 in the latest NCAA Central Regional poll. They are coming off a 5-0 win today over Minnesota-Crookston.

NOTES: BSU attempted three overtime shots and U-Mary had 0...Bemidji State was offsides twice and U-Mary was offsides three times...The Beavers were called for nine fouls and the Marauders had eight...Susick was issued a yellow card in the 93rd minute...U-Mary outshot BSU 15-13...U-Mary also had five shots on goal to BSU’s four...The Marauders led in corner kicks 4-1.

--bsu--