Bemidji State University

BEMIDJI, Minn. — The Bemidji State University women's soccer team erased a two-goal halftime deficit with three unanswered second-half goals Sunday afternoon, rallying past St. Cloud State University, 3-2, in a thrilling Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matchup at Chet Anderson Stadium.
 
Trailing 2-0 at the break after first-half goals from St. Cloud State's Linsey Trapino and Izzy Halunen, the Beavers responded with one of their most impressive halves of the season, scoring three times in an 11-minute span to complete the comeback victory.
 
The Huskies struck early when Linsey Trapino found the back of the net in the sixth minute off assists from Sydney Johnson and Chloe Orlow. St. Cloud State doubled its advantage in the 21st minute as Izzy Halunen finished a chance created by Darby Allen, sending the visitors into halftime with a 2-0 lead and owning a 7-1 shot advantage in the opening period.
 
Bemidji State emerged from the locker room with renewed energy and quickly began to tilt the match in its favor.
The comeback started in the 54th minute when Sydney Sutherland buried her second goal of the season off a feed from Madisen Fritel, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
 
Less than five minutes later, the Beavers found the equalizer. Olivia Utley delivered a setup off of a corner kick to Madeline Davey, who converted her second goal of the year in the 59th minute to even the match at 2-2.
 
The momentum remained firmly with BSU, and just 6:34 after knotting the score, the Beavers grabbed their first lead of the afternoon. Following sustained pressure in the attacking third and a corner kick opportunity, reserve defender Gracie Waters scored in the 66th minute to complete the comeback and give Bemidji State a 3-2 advantage it would not relinquish. The goal stood as the game-winner and Waters' second tally of the season.
 
With the lead in hand, the Beavers still faced one final challenge.
 
In the 82nd minute, St. Cloud State was awarded a penalty kick with an opportunity to draw even. BSU goalkeeper Payton Kropp came up with the biggest save of the afternoon, denying the penalty attempt before making another save later in the half to preserve the lead. Kropp finished with six saves, including five during a pressure-filled second half.
 
Bemidji State was outshot 14-10 overall but turned seven shots on goal into three scores and generated a dominant second-half offensive performance, recording nine of its 10 shots after halftime.
 
Three different Beavers scored in the victory. Sydney Sutherland, Madeline Davey, and Gracie Waters each found the back of the net, while Madisen Fritel and Olivia Utley collected assists. Payton Kropp earned the win in goal, her second of the season, with six saves over 90 minutes.
 
The victory moves Bemidji State to 5-3-3 overall and 4-2-2 in NSIC play. St. Cloud State falls to 4-4-3 overall and 3-3-2 in league action.
 
Bemidji State next hits the road Friday, Oct. 9 to face University of Minnesota Crookston before quickly returning home Sunday to host Minnesota State University, Moorhead for senior day.
 
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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