BEMIDJI, Minn. — The seventh-seeded Bemidji State University Women's Soccer team begins postseason play Monday, November 2 when it travels to face second-seeded University of Mary in the first round of the 2026 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Women's Soccer Tournament. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at MDU Resources Community Bowl in Bismarck, N.D.

The Beavers enter the single-elimination tournament 8-4-6 overall after completing the conference schedule 7-3-5. Bemidji State earned the seventh seed through the NSIC's head-to-head tiebreaker.

UMary earned a share of its first NSIC regular-season championship after finishing tied with Minnesota State University, Mankato atop the standings. The Marauders received the tournament's second seed after Minnesota State earned the head-to-head tiebreaker and enter Monday's match 13-2-3 overall and unbeaten over their last 13 matches.

The Beavers scored 22 goals during the regular season while allowing 15 and recorded seven shutouts. BSU placed more than half of its shots on goal and finished with 21 assists, receiving goals from 11 different players throughout the regular season.

Fritel leads the Bemidji State attack with five goals, two assists and 12 points. She also paces the Beavers with 43 shots and 27 shots on goal and has produced two match-winning goals. Senior Megan Ko follows with three goals, three assists and nine points, while Sutherland has totaled two goals and three assists for seven points.

Monday's quarterfinal will be the second meeting between Bemidji State and UMary this season. The Marauders earned a 2-0 victory Sept. 27 at MDU Resources Community Bowl after scoring both goals during the second half. Dina Polanco opened the scoring in the 62nd minute before Bella Kozlowski added an insurance goal in the 79th off an assist from Chloe Brand.

UMary enters the postseason as one of the NSIC's hottest teams. The Marauders have gone unbeaten in 13 consecutive matches since an early-season loss to Minnesota State and will host an NSIC Tournament match for the first time since 2008.

Polanco leads the UMary attack and scored against the Beavers during the regular season. She had already reached 14 goals by Oct. 18 after scoring three times during a weekend sweep of Southwest Minnesota State University and the University of Sioux Falls. Polanco also converted three penalty kicks through the Marauders' first 11 matches.

Bemidji State has held a slight advantage over the Marauders in the all-time series owning a 15-14-3 all-time record against UMary. The Beavers have been better as of late going 6-2-2 against the Marauders in their last 10 meetings.

The programs also share recent postseason history. Bemidji State defeated UMary 2-0 in the 2023 NSIC Tournament Championship to capture its second consecutive tournament title.

The winner of Monday's quarterfinal will advance to face the winner between third-seeded Minnesota Duluth and sixth-seeded Augustana University in the semifinal round Friday, Nov. 6. The tournament championship is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 8, and the highest remaining seed after the quarterfinals will host both rounds. The tournament champion receives the NSIC's automatic berth to the NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament.

Monday's match begins at 4 p.m. at MDU Resources Community Bowl. The contest will be streamed on Midco Sports Plus, with live statistics available through GoUMary.com. Direct coverage links are also available on the Bemidji State women's soccer schedule page.

Tickets will be sold at the main north entrance of MDU Resources Community Bowl beginning at 3 p.m. Sales are cash only, with admission set at $10 for adults and $5 for students ages six through college. Children five and younger are admitted free, and passes will not be accepted.
 
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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