ST. CLOUD, Minn. – After earning the program's first ever Northern Sun Intercollegiate Women's Soccer Tournament Championship last year, the Bemidji State University Women's Soccer team captured its second consecutive conference tournament championship Sunday afternoon after shutting out University of Mary 2-0 in St. Cloud.
 


With the win, the Beavers earn the automatic bid into the NCAA DII Women's Soccer Central Region Tournament and await their opponent following the NCAA Tournament Selection Show airing Monday at 5:30 p.m. CT at NCAA.com.
 
Bemidji State used two first half goals and a shutout from junior goalkeeper Edie Frantzen with four saves to make its third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament and third overall in program history.
 
The Beavers (12-3-6) took advantage of an early set-piece in the 15^th minute when Maggie Cade sent a great ball into the box from a corner kick that eluded the Mary goalkeeper and fifth-year senior Halle Peterson was there to clean up the play to put BSU up 1-0 with her fourth goal of the season, a career-high.
 

Senior captain Halle Peterson puts the Beavers up 1-0 on the corner in the 15th minute!!

?? https://t.co/6v0dHkP2RD

#GoBeavers #BeaverTerritory pic.twitter.com/u2u15FCTGf

— Bemidji State Women's Soccer (@BSUBeaverSoccer) November 12, 2023

 
The Beavers struck again before the end of the first half when Cade forced a turnover in the Mary's defensive third and sent a pass forward to sophomore Katrina Barthelt who showed the same finishing touch she has all season to score her 12^th goal of the season and gain the crucial two-goal advantage.
 

Barthelt makes it 2-0 for the Beavers just before the end of the first half!

Maggie Cade with the great defeinsive play to earn her 2nd assist!#GoBeavers #BeaverTerritory pic.twitter.com/ZGDXMCJlQM

— Bemidji State Women's Soccer (@BSUBeaverSoccer) November 12, 2023

 
BSU's defenses was too strong for the Marauders (10-8-3) as Frantzen and the Beavers turning aside all four shots including two in the second half to earn their second consecutive clean sheet and 10^th of the season.
 
Bemidji State becomes the fifth team to earn back-to-back NSIC Tournament Championships.
 

The moment the Beavers are crowned #NSICSoc Tournament Champs!!#GoBeavers #BeaverTerritory pic.twitter.com/vcrq1vvcND

— Bemidji State Women's Soccer (@BSUBeaverSoccer) November 12, 2023

Following the match, five Beavers were named to the All-NSIC Tournament Team including Barthelt who was named the tournament Most Valuable Player. She was joined by Peterson, Frantzen, Maria Stocke and Lauren Hodny as All-Tournament players.
 


The Beavers now await their seed in the NCAA Central Region Tournament with the NCAA Tournament Selection show airing Monday at 5:30 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State soccer program, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaverSoccer), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and follow them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversSoccer)
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association 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).
 
--bsu--