BEMIDJI, Minn. — Junior
Madisen Fritel scored her fifth goal of the season early in the second half as the Bemidji State University Women's Soccer team battled Northern State University to a 1-1 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference draw Sunday afternoon at Chet Anderson Stadium.
The Beavers moved to 8-3-6 overall and 7-2-5 in the NSIC, while the Wolves moved to 9-4-3 overall and 8-3-3 in conference play. The Beavers now sit fifth in the NSIC standings with 26 league points and will travel to University of Minnesota Duluth Thursday for the regular season finale and determine the home playoff seeding.
Bemidji State generated the match's first four shots, including a shot on goal by Fritel just 26 seconds after kickoff.
Sydney Sutherland,
Megan Ko and
Madeline Davey also recorded attempts during the opening 13 minutes.
Northern State struck first at 13:19 when Kylie Albert scored her third goal of the season. Chloe Voss and Jaylee Hofer received assists on the opening goal.
Payton Kropp kept the deficit at one by stopping Albert's attempt in the 22nd minute and denying Hofer in the 29th. The Wolves carried their 1-0 advantage into halftime after outshooting the Beavers 6-4 during the opening period.
Bemidji State responded quickly after the break. Fritel scored the equalizer at 50:31, finishing a setup from
Molly Burkstrand and Ko to tie the match at 1-1. The goal was Fritel's fifth of the season, while Burkstrand and Ko each earned an assist.
Fritel continued to create opportunities during the second half and produced three more shots after her goal, including attempts in the 79th and 80th minutes. The Beavers also earned consecutive corner kicks late in the match but could not find the go-ahead goal.
Bemidji State's defense limited Northern State to two second-half shots and did not allow an attempt on goal during the final 45 minutes. Kropp played all 90 minutes and finished with two saves.
The teams each finished with eight shots, while the Wolves held a 3-2 advantage in shots on goal and a 3-2 edge in corner kicks. Bemidji State committed seven fouls compared with nine by Northern State.
Fritel paced the Beavers with five shots and placed both of Bemidji State's shots on goal. Sutherland, Ko and Davey each added one attempt.
The draw extended Bemidji State's unbeaten streak to six matches. The Beavers are 4-0-2 during the stretch, which began with a 3-0 victory over MSU Moorhead on Oct. 11.
Bemidji State will travel to Minnesota Duluth Thursday, Oct. 29 for their regular season finale. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
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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