BEMIDJI, Minn. — The Bemidji State University Women's Soccer team concludes the 2026 regular season Thursday, October 29 with a pivotal Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference match at University of Minnesota Duluth. Kickoff between the Beavers and Bulldogs is scheduled for 3 p.m. at James S. Malosky Stadium in Duluth, Minn. Bemidji State enters the match 8-3-6 overall and 7-2-5 in conference play, while Minnesota Duluth is 10-5-2 overall and 9-4-1 in the NSIC.

Thursday's regular-season finale carries major postseason implications for both programs. Minnesota Duluth enters the final matchday third in the NSIC standings with 28 conference points, while Bemidji State is fifth with 26 points. Northern State University sits between the two teams in fourth with 27 points, while St. Cloud State University is tied with BSU at 26. Augustana University and Concordia University, St. Paul remain close behind with 25 points apiece.

The top eight teams in the final regular-season standings qualify for the NSIC Tournament, and the top four seeds host first-round matches Monday, Nov. 2. Bemidji State has secured a place in the eight-team field but enters Thursday fighting for the opportunity to host an opening-round match at Chet Anderson Stadium. The semifinal and championship rounds will be played Friday and Sunday at the campus of the highest remaining seed, with the tournament champion receiving the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament.

A victory Thursday would move Bemidji State to 29 conference points and guarantee the Beavers a top-four finish and a home match in the opening round.

Bemidji State enters the finale unbeaten in its last seven matches (4-0-3) after earning a 1-0 victory over University of Jamestown and a 1-1 draw against Northern State during its final home weekend of the regular season. Senior Megan Ko scored the match-winning goal against the Jimmies, while junior Madisen Fritel produced the Beavers' second-half equalizer against the Wolves.

The Beavers have built their postseason position with consistency throughout conference play. Their five NSIC draws are tied for the most in the league, while only conference leaders Minnesota State University, Mankato and the University of Mary have suffered fewer conference losses than BSU's two. The Beavers have earned points in 12 of their 14 NSIC matches entering the regular-season finale.

Fritel leads Bemidji State's attack with five goals and 12 points and has scored three times over the last four matches. Ko and junior Sydney Sutherland follow with nine and seven points apiece. The Beavers have received goals from 11 different players this season, giving BSU multiple scoring threats throughout the lineup.

Bemidji State enters Thursday having allowed less than one goal per match (0.76) and has recorded seven shutouts. Four goalkeepers have earned starts during the season, with sophomore Payton Kropp receiving the majority of the recent action. The Beavers have also remained difficult to defeat away from home, posting a 2-1-4 road record.

Minnesota Duluth enters the finale riding a three-match winning streak and has posted a 5-1-1 record at James S. Malosky Stadium. The Bulldogs have climbed to third in the conference standings with 28 points and can also secure a top-four seed with a victory Thursday.

The Bulldogs feature one of the NSIC's most active attacks and have averaged more than 18 shots per match. Lauren McGough and Nora Helvig share the team lead with 13 points. McGough has scored a team-high six goals, while Helvig has totaled five goals, three assists, 62 shots and 36 shots on goal. Marissa VanDeHei leads Minnesota Duluth with four assists.

Minnesota Duluth has also received strong play in goal from Edy Halverson, who has started the majority of the Bulldogs' matches. The Bulldogs have combined an aggressive attack with a defense allowing fewer than one goal per match and enter Thursday with a plus-15 scoring margin.

Bemidji State is 12-16-5 in the all-time series against Minnesota Duluth but has controlled the recent history between the programs. The Beavers have won eight consecutive meetings and are unbeaten over their last 11 matchups with the Bulldogs at 9-0-2. BSU has also won its last four trips to Duluth, including a 3-1 regular-season victory in 2025 and a 3-0 win in 2024.

The match will be streamed live through Midco Sports Plus, with live statistics available at UMDBulldogs.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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