Bemidji State University

MANKATO, Minn. — The Bemidji State University Women's Soccer team held nationally ranked Minnesota State University, Mankato scoreless for more than 83 minutes, but a late goal lifted the Mavericks past the Beavers 1-0 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament Championship Sunday afternoon at The Pitch in Mankato, Minn.
 
Bemidji State moved to 10-5-6 overall following its run to the conference championship as the tournament's seventh seed. Minnesota State improved to 17-1-3 and secured the NSIC's automatic berth in the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Tournament.
 
The Beavers generated the match's first three shots during a strong opening seven minutes. Megan Ko produced an attempt just 23 seconds after kickoff before Madisen Fritel placed a shot on goal in the sixth minute. Haylee Gallas followed with another attempt less than two minutes later.
 
Bemidji State nearly opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Molly Burkstrand struck the crossbar. The Beavers continued applying pressure and finished the opening half with an 8-5 advantage in shots.
 
Kropp stopped each of the Mavericks' three shots on goal during the first half. She denied Ruthie Gyasi and Reese Hilsenbeck on consecutive chances before stopping Anna Stromberg in the 29th minute to keep the match scoreless at halftime.
 
Minnesota State increased its pressure after the break, but Bemidji State continued to protect the scoreless match. Kropp made saves in the 55th, 68th and 74th minutes, while Addie Dobratz struck the crossbar in the 64th.
 
The Beavers created their best opportunity of the second half in the 63rd minute when Gallas placed a shot on goal, but Lauren McAlpine made the save.
 
The Mavericks broke the scoreless tie at 83:23 when Gyasi converted a setup from Meghan Sullivan. The fourth goal of the season for Gyasi stood as the tournament-winning strike.
 
Kropp played all 90 minutes and stopped six of the seven shots she faced. The Bemidji State defense held Minnesota State scoreless for the opening 83 minutes after recording a shutout against Minnesota Duluth in Friday's semifinal.
 
The Mavericks finished with a 19-11 advantage in shots, a 7-3 edge in shots on goal and a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks. Bemidji State held an 8-5 advantage in first-half shots before Minnesota State produced 14 attempts during the final 45 minutes.
 
Bemidji State placed three student-athletes on the NSIC All-Tournament Team following the championship match.  Molly Hagelie, Payton Kropp and Meredith Paar each earned recognition after helping the seventh-seeded Beavers defeat second-seeded UMary and third-seeded Minnesota Duluth during their run to the tournament championship.
 
Bemidji State now awaits the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Selection Show, scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. CDT on NCAA.com. The Beavers currently sit seventh in the NCAA Power Index rankings as they seek a berth in the eight-team NCAA Central Region 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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