BEMIDJI, Minn. - The Bemidji State University soccer team scored two goals in the first seven minutes against Jamestown College Tuesday afternoon at the BSU Soccer Field en route to a 4-1 victory over the Jimmies in the first home game of the season.

Ashlee Ellefsen (So., Hugo, Minn.) got things started with her second goal of the season in the sixth minute. She was assisted by Kelly Hyvare (Sr., Coon Rapids, Minn.) and Kim Sorteberg (Jr., Anoka, Minn.). The assist for Sorteberg was the first of her career. Jamie Ford (Jr., Edina, Minn.) also scored her second goal of the year off an assist by Ellefsen, less than a minute after taking the 1-0 advantage.

After the early fireworks, BSU cooled off for the rest of the opening half and the home team entered the break with a 2-0 advantage.

Goalkeeper Samantha Ross (So., Stillwater, Minn.) played the first 45 minutes of the contest before giving way to Abby Kjonaas (Fr., Fargo, N.D.) for the second half, who was making her first collegiate appearance. Kjonaas recorded four saves and allowed one goal.

Ross finished the game with three saves, moving her total to 22 through three games. She has now allowed just one goal in her first three games, giving her a 0.39 goals against average and a 96 percent save percentage.

Coach Jim Stone gave every active player on the roster playing time in the game, but right before he pulled the remaining starters, they combined for one more goal.

Linsey Olesiak (Jr., Hermantown, Minn.) controlled the ball 40 yards away from the goal in the 66th minute. She passed the ball to Ford right outside the penalty box, and she gave a touch right in front of the Jamestown goalkeeper to Analey Skog (Fr., St. Francis, Minn.), who was able to flick the ball over the keeper into the back of the net for her first career goal. The assist was the first point of Olesiak’s career.

After pulling all the starters, the reserves were able to put another goal on the board. Jenny Stromberg (So., Elk River, Minn.) received a pass on the left side of the penalty box. She beat her defender to her left, and was able to find Danielle Uphoff (Jr., Brainerd, Minn.) in front of the net, who converted with her first goal of the season in the 73rd minute. Stromberg recorded her second career assist.

The Jimmies were able to avoid the shutout by scoring off a free kick in the 81st minute, but the BSU subs allowed no more from the visitors, and BSU ended the game up 4-1. The Beavers are now 3-0, which continues to be the best start in school history. They also debuted as the No. 6 ranked team in the NSCAA/Adidas Central Regional Rankings, which was announced today. The only two teams in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference who were ranked ahead of BSU were Minnesota State University, Mankato (second) and Winona State University (third). St. Cloud State (tenth) was also ranked in the regional polls.

Ford moves into a tie for fifth place on the all-time BSU list with 12 career goals. She also moves into sixth all-time in career points (33) and eighth all-time in career assists (9). Ellefsen scored her ninth career goal, moving her into a tie for eighth place in school history. Both players have three career game-winning goals as Ford notched her second of the season against Jamestown, and the tandem is now tied for seventh on the all-time school list in that category.

Hyvare recorded her second-career two-assist game, and she moves into solo second place on BSU’s all-time assists list with 16 for her career.

The Beavers outshot the Jimmies 11-8, and had a 5-0 corner-kick advantage.

Bemidji State will continue its brief three-game home stand this weekend when the Beavers host the Super 8 Fall Classic at the BSU Soccer Field. The Beavers will face Northwestern College Friday at 5:30 p.m., and will close out the tournament Sunday at 2 p.m. against Minnesota State University, Moorhead. Bemidji State will be playing in its second tournament of the year, and will be looking for its second tourney win after taking the tournament in the opening weekend of the season in Northern Michigan.

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