BEMIDJI, Minn. — The Bemidji State University Women's Soccer team begins a two-match road swing this weekend with Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matches at Winona State University and Concordia University-St. Paul. The Beavers face the Warriors Friday, October 16 at 5 p.m., in Winona, Minn., before traveling to St. Paul, Minn., for a 1 p.m., match against the Golden Bears Sunday. Bemidji State enters the weekend 6-3-4 overall, 5-2-3 in conference play and tied for fifth in the NSIC standings with 18 conference points.

The Beavers earned four points during their previous weekend of competition after battling the University of Minnesota Crookston to a 1-1 draw Oct. 9 and defeating Minnesota State University, Moorhead 3-0 Sunday at Chet Anderson Stadium.

Sophomore Molly Burkstrand opened the scoring against Minnesota Crookston with her first goal of the season in the 12th minute. Junior Madisen Fritel assisted on the goal, while sophomore goalkeeper Payton Kropp made three saves as the Beavers earned their third road draw of the season.

Fritel powered Bemidji State to victory against MSU Moorhead by scoring twice, including the match-winning goal in the 22nd minute and an unassisted insurance tally in the 75th. Senior Megan Ko added her second goal of the season early in the second half, while juniors Dayna Stocke and Sydney Sutherland recorded assists.

Senior goalkeeper Ana Steadman made five saves against the Dragons to record a shutout in her first start this season. The clean sheet was Bemidji State's sixth of the season and Steadman became the fourth different Beaver goalkeeper to earn a shutout.

Fritel leads the Beavers with three goals, 30 shots and 20 shots on goal. Senior Ella Wade paces the team with four assists, while Ko follows with two goals and two assists. Bemidji State has received goals from 10 different players and enters the weekend averaging 1.31 goals per match while allowing 0.77.

Junior defender Grace Schwoch leads all Bemidji State field players with 1,072 minutes played. The Beavers' four goalkeepers have combined for 60 saves and have allowed 10 goals through 13 matches, helping BSU post six shutouts.

Bemidji State opens the weekend against a Winona State team that enters Friday 1-10-1 overall and 1-8-1 in NSIC play. The Warriors have dropped two consecutive matches after falling 2-1 at St. Cloud State University and 4-0 at home against Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Juniors Madison Barnick and McKayla Paukner share Winona State's team lead with two goals apiece. Junior Kyleigh Jannisch has generated a team-high 22 shots, while Barnick leads the Warriors with 12 shots on goal. Junior goalkeeper Abigail Rounds has totaled 38 saves this season and started 11-of-12 matches for the Warriors.

Bemidji State is 11-0-2 over its last 13 meetings against Winona State and is undefeated in the last four matchups. All-time Winona State is 18-13-3 against the Beavers. The Beavers have won four consecutive meetings, including a 2-1 victory at Chet Anderson Stadium last season. BSU's most recent trip to Winona also resulted in a 2-1 victory during the 2023 season.

The Beavers conclude the weekend against Concordia-St. Paul, which enters its Friday match against the University of Minnesota Duluth with a 5-3-5 overall record and a 4-3-3 conference mark. The Golden Bears have dropped two consecutive matches after falling 4-0 at nationally ranked Minnesota State and 1-0 at home against St. Cloud State.

Junior Sophia Haase leads the Golden Bears' attack after producing multiple-goal performances earlier this season, including hat tricks against Roosevelt University and Jamestown. Concordia-St. Paul has also relied on a strong defensive unit that posted consecutive shutouts against Minnesota Crookston and MSU Moorhead.

Bemidji State leads the all-time series against Concordia-St. Paul 15-12-3 and has gone 5-4-1 over the last 10 meetings. The Beavers earned a 1-0 victory against the Golden Bears last season after Stocke scored the match's lone goal in the 71st minute. Bemidji State is 6-7-3 all-time in St. Paul, with CSP prevailing 1-0 in the 2024 NSIC Tournament First Round in their last visit.
 
Both matches will be streamed live on Midco Sports Plus. Fans can watch Friday's 5 p.m. match at Winona State and Sunday's 1 p.m. contest at Concordia-St. Paul through the Midco Sports Plus app or online at MidcoSportsPlus.com. Links to each broadcast and available live statistics can be found on the women's soccer schedule page at BSUBeavers.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).
 
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