Bemidji State University

DULUTH, Minn. — The Bemidji State University Women's Soccer team generated eight of its 10 shots during the second half but could not overcome two early goals in a 2-0 loss at University of Minnesota Duluth Thursday afternoon at James S. Malosky Stadium.
 
Bemidji State concluded the regular season with an 8-4-6 overall record and a 7-3-5 mark in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play and await scores from later matches to determine their seed in the NSIC Women's Soccer Tournament. The Beavers can earn the sixth, seventh or eighth seed in the tournament and will play their first round matchup on the road.
 
The Bulldogs applied pressure early and opened the scoring in the 11th minute. After Payton Kropp made consecutive saves on attempts by Nora Helvig and an ensuing shot struck the post, Lauren McGough found the back of the net at 10:23 to give Minnesota Duluth a 1-0 lead.
 
Bemidji State produced its first scoring opportunity in the 22nd minute when Madisen Fritel placed a shot on goal, but Edy Halverson made the save. Maya Johnson added another attempt on target in the 39th minute following the Beavers' first corner kick.
 
Minnesota Duluth doubled its advantage at 39:44 when Macie Brosteau scored her first goal of the season. McGough and Juliana Zerna earned assists on the goal as the Bulldogs carried a 2-0 lead into halftime.
 
Rozlyn Buettner replaced Kropp in goal to begin the second half and stopped all four shots she faced during the final 45 minutes. She made two saves within the opening five minutes of the period and added another in the 69th minute to keep the Beavers within two.
 
Bemidji State increased its offensive pressure after halftime and nearly cut the deficit in half when Sydney Sutherland struck the right post in the 58th minute. The Beavers followed with three more attempts over the next nine minutes and earned two corner kicks during that stretch.
 
Fritel continued to create opportunities late in the match. She sent an attempt high in the 72nd minute before placing another shot on goal at 80:12, but Halverson made the save to preserve the shutout. Bemidji State earned two corner kicks during the final five minutes but could not break through.
 
The Beavers finished with 10 shots and placed three on goal, while the Bulldogs totaled 20 shots with 10 on target. Minnesota Duluth held a 7-5 advantage in corner kicks, while each team committed six fouls.
 
Fritel led Bemidji State with four shots and placed two on goal. Sutherland and Grace Schwoch each recorded two attempts, while Johnson and Myla Blake added one apiece.
 
Kropp stopped three shots during the opening half, and Buettner made four saves without allowing a goal in the second. The Bemidji State goalkeepers combined for seven saves.
 
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).
 
--bsu--