HOUGHTON, Mich. – Freshman Allyson Smith found the back of the net in the 55^th minute Friday, recording her first collegiate goal and all the offense the team would need. Senior goalkeeper Catherin Arneson turned aside the two shots she faced to post the fifth shutout of her career and lead the Beavers to their second victory of the season.

Smith’s shot from six yards out slipped past the Huskies’ goalkeeper after 54:46 of scoreless play. The Beavers recorded just one shot on goal during the first half, using a two-save half from Arneson to open the second half tied 0-0.

Bemidji State and Head Coach Jim Stone’s adjustments at the half paid off. Just over nine minutes after the intermission, the Beavers broke the scoreless tie and outshot MTU 12-4 during the final 45 minutes, which included a 5-0 edge in shots on goal.

With a goal and two assists during her first three games, Smith is tied with junior Rachael Norton for the team’s scoring lead and has been in on all three of BSU’s goals this season.

The victory avenges a 2-1 loss to the Huskies a year ago and gives the Beavers a 3-2 edge in the all-time series. Since 2007, the Beavers have opened their season with back-to-back wins in nine of 10 seasons.

The Beavers look to protect their unblemished record (2-0; 1-0 NSIC) Sunday when they travel to Marquette, Mich. to wrap up their three-game, season-opening road swing at Northern Michigan University. The match is set for a 2 p.m. opening kick from the NMU Soccer Field.

Nestled in Northern Minnesota’s wooded region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

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