Bemidji State University

MANKATO, Minn. — Freshman Julia Lewis scored her first career goal late in the opening half, and sophomore Payton Kropp made five saves to propel the seventh-seeded Bemidji State University Women's Soccer team to a 1-0 upset of third-seeded University of Minnesota Duluth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament semifinals Friday morning at The Pitch in Mankato, Minn.
 
The Beavers improved to 10-4-6 overall and advanced to Sunday's NSIC Tournament Championship. Bemidji State has defeated the tournament's second and third seeds during its postseason run. Bemidji State will face the winner of top-seeded No. 2 Minnesota State University, Mankato and fourth seed Northern State University at 1:00 p.m. Sunday at The Pitch.
 
Sunday's championship match will be the fourth time Bemidji State has played for the NSIC Tournament Championship and first since 2023. The Beavers earned NSIC Tournament championships in 2023 and 2022 and were runners-up in 2021.
 
Bemidji State created two early chances through Molly Burkstrand, including an attempt on goal in the ninth minute that Edy Halverson saved. Dayna Stocke put another shot on frame in the 23rd minute, but Halverson again kept the match scoreless.
 
Kropp answered with two saves during the opening half. She stopped Nora Helvig in the 13th minute and denied Alyssa Doyle in the 22nd to preserve the scoreless match.
 
The Beavers broke through just before the end of the half at 41:34 when Maya Johnson set up Lewis for the match's only goal. The first-half substitute converted Bemidji State's sixth shot of the match for her first career goal while Johnson earned her first career assist, putting the Beavers ahead 1-0 shortly before halftime.
 
Bemidji State nearly doubled its advantage during a strong start to the second half. Meredith Paar and Madisen Fritel forced four saves during the opening 15 minutes, while Megan Ko struck the crossbar in the 58th minute. The Beavers produced eight shots through the first 15 minutes after halftime.
 
Minnesota Duluth increased its pressure over the closing stages, generating 18 second-half shots and eight corner kicks. The Bemidji State defense held firm, however, limiting the Bulldogs to three shots on goal during the period.
 
Kropp denied Juliana Zerna in the 75th minute before stopping two late attempts from Helvig, including the Bulldogs' final shot on goal with less than four minutes remaining. Bemidji State then closed out its second consecutive postseason upset and secured its place in the conference championship.
 
Kropp played all 90 minutes and stopped each of the five shots she faced to record the shutout, her fourth of the season. The Beavers' back line of Madeline Davey, Haylee Gallas, Tatum Miller and Molly Hagelie each played the full match as Bemidji State held the Bulldogs scoreless despite 28 total attempts.
 
Minnesota Duluth finished with a 28-15 advantage in shots and a 12-3 edge in corner kicks, while Bemidji State held a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal. Fritel paced the Beavers with four shots and three on goal, while Paar added three attempts.
 
The Beavers will play for the NSIC Tournament Championship Sunday, Nov. 8, at The Pitch in Mankato. The winner will receive the conference's automatic berth in the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Tournament.
 
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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