BEMIDJI, Minn. — The seventh-seeded Bemidji State University Women's Soccer team continues its postseason run Friday, November 6 when it faces third-seeded University of Minnesota Duluth in the semifinal round of the 2026 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Women's Soccer Tournament. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m. at The Pitch in Mankato, Minn.

The winner will advance to the NSIC Tournament Championship scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8 at The Pitch and face the winner of Friday's second semifinal between top-seeded and No. 2 nationally ranked Minnesota State University, Mankato and fourth-seeded Northern State University. The tournament champion will receive the NSIC's automatic berth into the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Central Region Tournament.

Bemidji State advanced to the semifinal round after rallying for a 2-1 road victory over second-seeded University of Mary Monday in Bismarck, N.D. The Beavers erased a 1-0 halftime deficit behind second-half goals from freshmen Olivia Utley and Meredith Paar to improve to 9-4-6 overall and reach the tournament semifinals for the second consecutive season.

Utley tied the match in the 56th minute with the first goal of her collegiate career after Paar found her outside the penalty area. Utley had nearly opened the scoring during the first half, but her attempt in the 37th minute struck the left post.

Paar completed the comeback in the 72nd minute by scoring her second goal of the season off assists from Jayda Davis and Molly Hagelie. Paar contributed to both Bemidji State goals and finished with the match-winning tally, one assist and a match-high three points.

Sophomore goalkeeper Payton Kropp helped preserve the victory by making eight saves, including five during the second half. UMary generated six shots and three corner kicks over the closing 19 minutes, but Kropp and the Bemidji State defense kept the Marauders from finding an equalizer.

The Beavers have scored 24 goals this season and have received goals from 12 different players. Junior Madisen Fritel leads BSU with five goals and 12 points, while senior Megan Ko follows with three goals, three assists and nine points. Seven different Beavers have recorded a match-winning goal.
 
Four Beavers earned All-NSIC Conference recognition following the regular season. Senior defenders Megan Ko and Madeline Davey and junior defender Grace Schwoch were selected to the All-NSIC First Team, while junior forward Madisen Fritel earned Second Team honors. Ko collected the fourth All-NSIC honor of her career, Davey received her second and Schwoch earned her first. The trio helped anchor a Bemidji State defense that allowed 12 goals, recorded six shutouts and posted a 0.80 goals-against average during 15 conference matches. Fritel led the Beavers during the regular season with five goals and 12 points to earn the first All-NSIC honor of her career.

Bemidji State's semifinal opponent also advanced with a 2-0 quarterfinal victory. Minnesota Duluth defeated sixth-seeded Augustana University behind goals from Gwendolyn Lilly and Nora Helvig, while goalkeeper Edy Halverson made five saves to earn the shutout.

The Bulldogs enter the semifinal 12-5-2 overall and riding a five-match winning streak. Minnesota Duluth has not allowed a goal in four consecutive matches and carries a shutout streak of more than 397 minutes into Friday's contest. The Bulldogs are seeking their first NSIC Tournament semifinal victory since 2013.

Helvig, the 2026 NSIC Midfielder of the Year, shares Minnesota Duluth's team lead with 18 points from seven goals and four assists. Lauren McGough also has 18 points and leads the Bulldogs with eight goals, including four match-winning tallies.

Halverson has started 17 matches and enters the semifinal with a 0.59 goals against average, an .861 save percentage and nine shutouts. She was joined by Helvig, McGough and defender Keira Olabode among the Bulldogs' All-NSIC selections.

Friday will mark the second meeting between Bemidji State and Minnesota Duluth in eight days. The Bulldogs earned a 2-0 victory in the regular-season finale Oct. 29 at James S. Malosky Stadium after receiving first-half goals from McGough and Macie Brosteau.

The Bulldogs' victory ended Bemidji State's 10-match unbeaten streak in the series and was Minnesota Duluth's first win against BSU since 2014. UMD holds a 17-12-5 advantage in the all-time series entering Friday's postseason rematch.

Bemidji State is pursuing its fourth appearance in the NSIC Tournament Championship. The Beavers won consecutive tournament titles in 2022 and 2023, earning the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament both seasons. A victory Friday would send the seventh-seeded Beavers back to the championship match for the first time since their 2023 title run.

Friday's semifinal against Minnesota Duluth begins at 10 a.m. at The Pitch in Mankato. All NSIC Tournament matches will be streamed live through Midco Sports Plus, with live statistics available at MSUMavericks.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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