ABERDEEN, S.D. - The Bemidji State University soccer team went into the home of Northern State University and nearly came away with a huge Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory Sunday afternoon.

Unfortunately for a questionable call near the end of the game, the Beavers fell 1-0 to the Wolves.

The two teams played excellent defense to hold off any scoring for the first period and a half, but that all changed in the 82nd minute of action.

Northern State had a corner kick, and after all the comotion the ball ended up in BSU goalkeeper Samantha Ross’ (Fr., Stillwater, Minn.) hands. All the players were jogging back towards midfield to prepare for the goal kick when one of the referees signaled that Ross had caught the ball in the net for an NSU goal. Summer Swan was credited with the goal, Kirsten Saunders was given the assist and the Beavers’ chances of winning the NSIC regular season championship were dashed.

Ross was challenged only six times, making five saves with the one goal allowed for her first career loss (3-1-2). Catherine Grace made four saves for Northern State (14-3-2, 7-0-1 NSIC) and did not allow a goal for the win.

Christina Hicks (Sr., Minnetonka, Minn.) led the way for BSU with four shots attempted. Six other Beavers attempted one shot.

Even though the Beavers (8-7-3, 4-2-1 NSIC) are no longer in contention for the conference regular season championship, they can still put themselves in prime position for the NSIC postseason tournament with a couple of wins Oct. 27-28. Bemidji State plays Winona State University (6-1-0) and Upper Iowa University (4-1-1) in the final two games of the regular season next weekend, and the two teams are No. 2 and No. 3 in the conference, respectively. BSU is currently alone in fourth place.

If the Beavers were to stay in at least a fourth-place finish in the conference, they will host their first game of the postseason tournament Oct. 31. If they slip to fifth or worse, they will have to travel to the home of one of the teams in the top four based on conference finish.

Notes: BSU was only whistled for 5 fouls to NSU’s 12...The Beavers were never called for offsides and Northern State was called for 2...Both teams attempted 3 corner kicks...Kara Smyth (Fr., Cary, Ill.) and Katherine Bronson were both issued yellow cards.

--bsu--