WAYNE, Neb. - The Bemidji State soccer team used three second-half goals, including the first of the season for Kelly Hyvare (Jr., Coon Rapids, Minn.), to defeat Wayne State (Neb.) University 3-0 Saturday in the opening game of NSIC play.

The Beavers played into the wind during the first half and struggled to find much offense. They attempted only two shots to Wayne State’s six. The second half was a different story, as BSU outshot the Wildcats 8-2.

Hyvare got the Beavers on the board with her first goal of the season at the 58th minute. The leading scorer for the team her first two years at BSU took 11 matches to notch her first goal, but she made it count as it was the game-winner, giving BSU a 1-0 start in conference play for the third consecutive season.

Even though the Beavers (5-5-1, 1-0 NSIC) didn’t need any more goals, Danielle Uphoff (So., Brainerd, Minn.) and Kim Sorteberg (So., Anoka, Minn.) added insurance in the 67th and 81st minutes, respectively, to help put away WSU (0-7-2, 0-1 NSIC). All three BSU goals were unassisted.

Uphoff scored her third goal of the season and moved into solo second place on the team in goals and total points. She has also tied her production in goals from her freshman season and is one point away from matching her total of nine from last year.

Sorteberg put in the first goal of her career on just her third shot of the season.

BSU goalkeeper Jessica Meath (Jr., Bethel, Minn.) wasn’t tested much by the Wildcats in her 90 minutes of action. She had three saves in the first half but didn’t have any shots on goal attempted in the second half as she pitched her fourth shutout of the season. Emily Walker played the first 28:26 in the net for WSU, and Rachel Fuchs entered the game to play the final 61:34. Fuchs gave up the three goals while converting three saves.

Hyvare and Jamie Ford (So., Edina, Minn.) were the two leading scorers from a year ago, and both struggled early in the season to get on the scoreboard, but the two players have seemingly gotten out of their respective slumps in consecutive games as Hyvare scored against the Wildcats and Ford had her first goal of the season Sept. 23 against Northern State University.

The Beavers played an exhibition game against Providence College Wednesday and won 10-0, with Hyvare knocking in four. Coach Jim Stone said that, even though it didn’t count in the official standings, being able to score in a game situation was a huge boost for Hyvare.

“It only took a spark to start a fire, and the Providence game did just that for Kelly,” Stone said. “Confidence is enormous for a striker and I think that game gave her some confidence. The first 10 games our fowards were struggling, but the last three they have really been picking it up and making an impact. They seem to be getting it going at the right time for us, and hopefully they can keep it going.”

Hyvare, Ford and the rest of the Beaver players will look to add to their recent momentum Sunday when they travel to Marshall, Minn., for a 1 p.m. meeting with Southwest Minnesota State.

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