BEMIDJI, Minn. — The Bemidji State University Women's Soccer team continues Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play with a split weekend against University of Minnesota Crookston and Minnesota State University, Moorhead. The Beavers travel to Crookston, Minn., for a 3 p.m. match Friday, October 9 before returning to Chet Anderson Stadium to host the Dragons at 1 p.m. Sunday for Senior Day. Bemidji State enters the weekend 5-3-3 overall and 4-2-2 in conference play.

The Beavers split a pair of home matches last weekend, falling 1-0 to No. 7 Minnesota State University, Mankato before rallying from a two-goal deficit to defeat St. Cloud State University 3-2. The Mavericks scored the lone goal of Friday's match early in the second half, handing BSU its first home loss of the season.

Bemidji State responded Sunday with three unanswered second-half goals to complete a thrilling comeback against St. Cloud State. After trailing 2-0 at halftime, junior Sydney Sutherland began the rally in the 54th minute before senior Madeline Davey tied the match less than five minutes later. Sophomore Gracie Waters completed the comeback by scoring the eventual match-winning goal in the 66th minute.

Sutherland's goal was assisted by junior Madisen Fritel and junior Dayna Stocke, while sophomore Olivia Utley set up Davey's equalizer. The Beavers generated nine shots during the second half after recording just one during the opening 45 minutes. Bemidji State placed seven of its 10 shots on goal, while sophomore goalkeeper Payton Kropp made six saves including a key penalty kick late in the second halfd to earn the victory.

Senior Ella Wade leads Bemidji State's balanced attack with six points from one goal and four assists. Sutherland, Davey, junior Grace Schwoch and Waters share the team lead with two goals apiece, while senior Megan Ko follows Wade with four points from one goal and two assists. Nine Beavers have scored at least one goal this season.

The Beavers have continued to rely on a strong goalkeeping rotation and a deep defensive unit. Kropp leads the goalkeeping group with four starts, a 0.75 goals against average, 17 saves and an .850 save percentage. Junior Rozlyn Buettner also has made four starts and has a 1.25 goals against average and .815 save percentage and freshman Emma Marzean  has three starts and a 0.33 goals against average and .929 save percentage. The group has recorded five shutouts through 11 matches.

Bemidji State opens the weekend against a Minnesota Crookston team that enters Friday 0-7-4 overall and 0-6-2 in NSIC play. The Golden Eagles earned a 1-1 draw against Winona State University in their most recent match after junior Callie Holthaus scored her first goal of the season. Minnesota Crookston has scored two goals this season and is averaging 6.0 shots per match.

Holthaus and junior Sydney Christopherson have scored Minnesota Crookston's two goals, while junior Jillian Muehlberger leads the team with eight shots. Sophomore goalkeeper Phoenix DeBrusk has made eight starts and enters the weekend with a 1.07 goals against average, 33 saves and an .805 save percentage.

Bemidji State has controlled the all-time series against Minnesota Crookston with a 29-5-1 record over 35 meetings. The Beavers have won 26 consecutive matches against the Golden Eagles and earned a 2-0 victory when the programs met last season at Chet Anderson Stadium.

The Beavers return home Sunday to face an MSU Moorhead team that enters the weekend 2-7-2 overall and 1-6-1 in conference play. The Dragons have dropped five consecutive matches and are coming off home losses to Winona State and Concordia University, St. Paul. MSU Moorhead hosts the University of Minnesota Duluth Friday afternoon before traveling to Bemidji.

The Dragons have scored five goals through 11 matches and have been held scoreless in four of their last five contests.

Bemidji State has won the last seven meetings against MSU Moorhead, including an 8-0 road victory in their last meeting. The Beavers have outscored the Dragons 22-1 across those seven matches and have posted six shutouts during the stretch.

Friday's match at Minnesota Crookston begins at 3 p.m. at the Minnesota Crookston Soccer Field. Sunday's Senior Day match against MSU Moorhead is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Chet Anderson Stadium.
 
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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