MARSHALL, Minn. - The Bemidji State University soccer team was shut out for the first time of the 2008 season Saturday in a 1-0 loss to Southwest Minnesota State University at Mattke Field.

The Beavers played an even-matched first half and even led in shots 5-3, but one of those three shots for SMSU proved to be the downfall for BSU.

Bemidji State committed a foul deep in its territory, and the Mustangs were awarded a free kick just outside the left side of the penalty box. The home team took the kick and Kelly Fitzgerald was right there to head the ball into the back of the net in the 40th minute of action.

SMSU (1-4, 1-0 NSIC) went into the half with the 1-0 advantage, and that was all the Mustangs would need to take the first game of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action.

Even after numerous frantic attempts on goal late in the game, the Beavers were still unable to notch that equalizer, and moved to 6-1 (0-1 NSIC) on the season.

Bemidji State outshot SMSU 9-7, but the Mustangs led in corner kicks 3-1.

Goalkeeper Samantha Ross (So., Stillwater, Minn.) moved to 6-1 on the season despite an impressive effort that saw her save six shots.

The shutout was BSU’s first of the season, and it ended streaks of two players. Forward Jamie Ford (Jr., Edina, Minn.) had notched at least one point in every game this season, and midfielder Ashlee Ellefsen (So., Hugo, Minn.) had recorded 15 points in her last four games.

Entering the game, the Beavers were 2-0-2 in the last four meetings with the school, and they are now 2-10-2 all-time against SMSU. BSU has never defeated Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall.

Bemidji State returns to action Sunday when the team travels to Mankato, Minn., for a conference matchup against Minnesota State University, Mankato.

 

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