BEMIDJI, Minn. — The Bemidji State University Women's Soccer team defeated University of Minnesota Duluth 2-0 Thursday at Chet Anderson Stadium in their Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season finale. With this victory, Bemidji State secured the second seed in the 2025 NSIC Women's Soccer Tournament and hosts Northern State University Monday, Nov. 10 at Chet Anderson Stadium.
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Bemidji State extended its win streak to seven matches and unbeaten streak to 11 behind two, first-half goals from seniors
Katrina Barthelt and
Kenzie Harer. The Beavers also shutout their third straight opponent behind graduate student
Sonia Alfieri's six saves in the match.
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The Beavers conclude the regular season with a 13-2-3 record overall for their best winning percentage (.806) since 2021 and qualified for postseason play for the 16
th consecutive season.
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Bemidji State and Minnesota Duluth began their matchup with goalkeepers
Sonia Alfieri and Kaycee Chavez anchoring the nets. Bemidji State opened the scoring in the 20th minute when
Katrina Barthelt found the back of the net for a league-high 13
th time this season after her initial shot was saved by Chavez. Shortly after, in the 23rd minute,
Kenzie Harer extended the lead to 2-0 with a goal assisted by Barthelt scoring for the fourth time this season. Despite several corner kicks and shots from UMD, including attempts by Gwendolyn Lilly and Savannah Gieseke, Alfieri's saves maintained Bemidji State's lead through the end of the first half.
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Bemidji State maintained their 2-0 lead throughout the second half against the Bulldogs, with both teams unable to find the back of the net. The home team applied early pressure with
Julia Freed and
Molly Burkstrand each testing the Bulldog goalkeeper, Chavez, in the 48th and 53rd minutes, respectively. Alfieri demonstrated strong defense by making crucial saves against shots from Gieseke and Miriam Marsan in the 70th and 78th minutes. Despite opportunities from both sides, including a late attempt by Barthelt in the 83rd minute, the score remained unchanged until the final whistle.
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Alfieri recorded six saves to secure a shutout for Bemidji State, her sixth of the season. Barthelt contributed significantly with one goal and one assist, leading the team with four shots, three of which were on goal, and netting the game-winning goal. Harer also added a goal, finding the back of the net with one of her two shots on target.
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Bemidji State now holds the second seed in the NSIC Tournament and hosts seventh-seeded Northern State at Chet Anderson Stadium Monday, Nov. 10. Kick-off between the Beavers and Wolves is slated for 5 p.m.
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The Beavers hope to advance to the semifinal and championship rounds to be hosted by the highest remaining seed following Monday's first round. The winner of the tournament earns the NSIC's automatic bid into the NCAA DII Women's Soccer Central Region Tournament.
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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).
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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).
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