BEMIDJI, Minn. – It was a special night for the Bemidji State University Women's Soccer senior class as its eight members were honored and recognized for their dedication to the program for Senior Night. The seniors shined in the match scoring all three goals as the Beavers defeated Southwest Minnesota State University 3-1 to open Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Friday night at Chet Anderson Stadium.
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Senior
Kenzie Harer started the scoring early with her first goal of the season in the fifth minute followed by a goal from senior
Sylve Waters in the 22
nd. Senior
Emma Huelsnitz sealed the victory with her first of the season in the 67
th minute while senior
Sonia Alfieri earned her first win of 2025 after making four saves. Senior
Katrina Barthelt used her playmaking skills during the match assisting on two of the Beavers' goals.
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Bemidji State scored three goals for the second consecutive match and won its third in-a-row to improve to 3-1-0 (1-0-0 NSIC) on the season.
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Bemidji State took an early lead in the fifth minute when Harer scored her first of the year after collecting a rebounded Barthelt shot that hit the post.
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SMSU equalized in the 10th minute with a goal from Leah Dehne. However, Bemidji State regained the lead in the 22nd minute with a goal from
Sylve Waters to score her first of the season and put the Beavers in front at halftime.
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Throughout the half, both teams exchanged fouls and Bemidji State's offense was frequently on the attack, with several shots saved by Mustangs' goalkeeper Kennady Krebs.
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Bemidji State began the second half with an aggressive offensive push, highlighted by Barthelt's early shot attempts, including one on target saved by SMSU's Krebs in just the 46th minute. Despite a series of fouls from both teams, Bemidji State continued to press, eventually capitalizing in the 67th minute when
Emma Huelsnitz scored with a header goal off a corner kick from
Ella Wade.
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SMSU responded with increased offensive efforts, securing multiple corner kicks and shots, but Bemidji State's defense, anchored by goalkeeper
Sonia Alfieri, held firm with key saves. The match concluded with Bemidji State maintaining their 3-1 lead, showcasing a strong defensive performance in the latter part of the game.
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Waters scored the game-winning goal for Bemidji State with her only shot of the match. Alfieri recorded four saves, allowing just one goal over 90 minutes in the win. Barthelt contributed two assists and led the team with six shots, including two on target. Huelsnitz added a goal with her sole shot, while Harer found the net once and totaled two shots on goal.
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Bemidji State improved to 3-1-0 overall and 2-0-0 in conference play. The Mustangs fell to 1-3-0 overall and 0-1-0 in the conference.
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The Beavers look to carry momentum into Sunday when they host University of Sioux Falls at 1 p.m., to cap-off their homestand.
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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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