BEMIDJI, Minn. — The Bemidji State University Women's Soccer 2025 season came to a screeching halt Friday afternoon falling 1-0 to University of Central Missouri in overtime in the first round of the NCAA DII Women's Soccer Tournament at Chet Anderson Stadium. Central Missouri's Izzy Joyce scored in the 98^th minute of overtime to send the Jennies into the second round Sunday.
 
The seventh-seeded Jennies will now face third-seed St. Cloud State University Sunday at Chet Anderson Stadium.
 
"They did a great job of pulling back in the direction we want to (go), giving experiences to young players —  freshmen and sophomores who haven't been a part of that," head coach Jim Stone said. "That's huge. Any time you get those experiences, you want to repeat them. You take that experience from those moments with you. I'm proud of the group for that. I'm more proud of the character and how they went about their business every day. It was just a great group to be around." 
 
The match between Bemidji State and Central Missouri began with both teams displaying solid defensive efforts. Bemidji State generated early opportunities, including a corner kick in the 3rd minute and a shot by Katrina Barthelt in the 15th minute that went wide. Central Missouri goalkeeper Kristen Wright was tested with a shot from Madisen Fritel in the 16th minute, which she saved at the bottom left corner. The Jennies' Mikayla Ernst also saw her shot saved by Bemidji State's goalie Sonia Alfieri in the 29th minute. The first half concluded with no goals, ending with Bemidji State taking four shots and three corner kicks compared to the Jennies' two shots and one corner.
 
The Jennies and BEavers were locked in a defensive battle throughout the second half, with neither team able to find the back of the net. Bemidji State's Fritel and Barthelt each had shots on goal in the 53rd and 58th minutes, but both attempts were saved by Central Missouri's goalkeeper, Wright. On the other side, Bemidji State's Alfieri made a crucial save against Izzy Joyce's shot in the 57th minute. The half was marked by multiple corner kicks and fouls from both teams, but it ended in a scoreless stalemate at the 90th minute.
 
Overtime commenced with both Bemidji State and Central Missouri making strategic lineup adjustments. The decisive moment occurred in the 98th minute when Joyce scored the sudden-death, game-winning goal for the Jennies, assisted by Ernst.
 
Alfieri played a crucial role in goal, recording two saves over 97 minutes. Fritel led the team's offensive efforts with two shots on goal. Barthelt contributed with two shots, one of which was on target, providing pressure on the opposing defense.
 
Bemidji State's 2025 season comes to an end with a 14-3-4 overall record while Central Missouri advances and is now 11-5-4 overall.
 
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--