BEMIDJI, Minn. - It took a successful penalty kick and a stellar defensive performance, but the Bemidji State soccer team finally notched its first victory in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference with a 2-0 victory over the University of Minnesota, Crookston Sunday afternoon at the BSU Soccer Field.

The Beavers came into the game on the heels of three consecutive losses, which was their longest regular-season losing streak since 2004. This came after the team won its first six games of the season, its best start in school history by far. Any hopes of staying in the chase for a playoff spot in the NSIC Tournament rested on a win against the Golden Eagles.

BSU came out looking strong against UMC, and was able to attempt nine first-half shots. Most of those shots, however, were too weak to do any damage, and the visiting teams’ goalkeeper stopped the few quality chances in helping to give her team a 0-0 draw in the opening frame. The Bemidji State defense had a stellar performance, and allowed just two shots in the first 45 minutes.

With all the chances to score, it was only a matter of time before the Beavers would notch that first goal.

The home team was keeping possession in the UMC half of the field for the majority of the game, and just three minutes into the second half the Golden Eagles were whistled for a hand ball in their own 18-yard box.

The foul gave Bemidji State a penalty kick, and Lauren Olivares (Sr., El Paso, Texas) struck the free kick into the upper left corner of the net, giving her team a 1-0 advantage in the 49th minute.

The goal gave Olivares the ninth of her career, moving her into a tie for ninth place in school history in goals scored in a career. The last time Bemidji State was awarded a penalty kick was Sept. 8 of last season in a 5-2 victory over Minnesota State University, Moorhead, which was also converted by Olivares.

The Beavers (7-3, 1-3 NSIC) came into the game losers of their last two games when scoring first, so some sort of breathing room was critical in order to ensure victory.

That insurance came from Ashlee Ellefsen (So., Hugo, Minn.), who scored her team-leading eighth goal of the season in the 64th minute off assists from Jenny Stromberg (So., Elk River, Minn.) and Kim Sorteberg (Jr., Anoka, Minn.). Sorteberg recorded her third assist of the season, while Stromberg helped out on her second goal of the year.

After Ellefsen gave BSU its 2-0 advantage, the home team had to step up its defensive pressure as coach Jim Stone cleared his bench in order to give some of the younger players playing time.

The new generation of Beavers secured the fourth shutout of the season, tying the team with last years’ squad which also recorded four shutouts.

BSU goalkeeper Samantha Ross (So., Stillwater, Minn.) had an excellent performance, saving all six shots faced and earning her second-career shutout. She moves to 7-3 on the season.

Bemidji State outshot the Golden Eagles 15-6, and that number could have been a lot higher had the home team not been whistled offsides 10 times in the contest. BSU had a 5-4 corner-kick advantage.

Ellefsen is now sixth in school history in goals scored with 15, just one shy of Jamie Ford (Jr., Edina, Minn.) who sits in fifth place with 16. Both players are chasing teammate Kelly Hyvare (Sr., Coon Rapids, Minn.), who has 22 career goals scored and is third on the list.

Ellefsen is the first Beaver to eclipse the 20-point plateau since Hyvare did so in 2006, when she scored 28 points. She also now has 36 career points, moving her into sole possession of sixth all-time at BSU. She is just six points shy of Ford who is fifth on the school list with 42, and both players are again chasing Hyvare, who has 60 career points and is fourth.

The win over UMC (1-7-1, 0-4 NSIC) moved BSU to 4-1 at home this season. That record will get tested next weekend (Oct. 4-5) when Winona State University (8-1, 3-0 NSIC) and Upper Iowa University (4-4-1, 2-1 NSIC) step into Beaver territory for two crucial conference tilts. The Warriors are ranked No. 7 in the country, and the Peacocks’ only conference loss came in overtime to WSU. Both games will begin at 1 p.m.

 

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