BEMIDJI, Minn. -- Following a scoreless first half of play, Bemidji State University's Emily Kos scored in the 51st minute to tie the game and fellow senior Melanie Peltier booted the game-winner in the 66th minute as the Beavers prevailed over Winona State University, 2-1, in non-conference play to open the 2019 season.

The Beavers started slowly. The youthful attack struggled to maintain possession and create good scoring opportunities early, but as the game rolled along, BSU players shook off any rust and left any first-game-of-the-season, or in some cases, first-game-of-my-collegiate-career nerves in the locker room at halftime and were able to bounce back from a deficit to collect the victory.

Winona State's Cameron Cadiz broke the scoreless tie just moments into the second half (48th minute). After finding herself in some space, she kicked a perfectly-place shot just under the crossbar and just over the outstretch hands of freshman goalkeeper Alyssa Stumbaugh to give Winona State the lead.

Kos evened the score with the first goal of her Bemidji State career off a free kick just over two minutes later. 

The goal provided a spark for the Beavers. With just over 25 minutes to play, Peltier took the game into her own hands slipping the ball between a WSU defender's legs and onto her own foot for a laser that skipped off the slick, wet turf and past the Warriors' goalie. The goal stood as third goal of the senior midfielder's career and her first since the 2017 season.

Defensively the Beavers goalkeepers combined for six saves, including two game-saving stops by Stumbaugh, to allow BSU to cling to the lead late in the match.

The Beavers, now, 1-0-0 on the season, will continue non-conference play next week then they travel to Mankato, Minn. for a pair of nationally-ranked opponents.

--bsu--