BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University Women's Soccer head coach Jim Stone announced Thursday afternoon the dates and opponents for the 2026 season, the 31^st in program history. The Beavers open the fresh season Friday, August 28 and will play an 18-match regular season.
 
Ahead of the start of their 18-match regular season, the Beavers will play three exhibition matches Aug. 21-23 beginning Friday, Aug. 21 against College of Saint Benedict at Chet Anderson Stadium. The Beavers will then travel to University of Wisconsin-Superior and St. Catherine University the following Saturday and Sunday.
 
The Beavers' 2026 season officially gets underway the following weekend when they host regional opponents Missouri Western State University and Northwest Missouri State University at Chet Anderson Stadium August 28 and 30. BSU then concludes its non-conference schedule with a road trip to Mankato, Minn., September 4 to face regional foe Grand Valley State University.
 
The 15-match Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule begins the following weekend with the Beavers traveling to University of Sioux Falls (Sept. 11) and Southwest Minnesota State University (Sept. 13). BSU then returns home Sept. 18-20 and hosts Wayne State College and Augustana University for their first NSIC home matches. Bemidji State closes out play in September with another road trip beginning with Minot State University Sept. 25 and ending at University of Mary Sept. 27. 5-of-7 of the Beavers matches during the month will be played on the road.
 
Bemidji State soccer fans will get a better look at the Beavers during the month of October as five of the team's matches will be played at their home pitch, Chet Anderson Stadium. BSU kicks-off the month by hosting Minnesota State University, Mankato and St. Cloud State University Oct. 2 and 4. BSU then has a split weekend by traveling to University of Minnesota Crookston Oct. 9 and then returning home to host Minnesota State University, Moorhead Oct. 11. The Beavers then make a road trip south to face Winona State University (Oct. 16) and Concordia University-St. Paul (Oct. 18). BSU hosts its final regular season home matches Oct. 23 and 25 playing host to University of Jamestown and Northern State University. The final match of the regular season then follows as the Beavers travel to University of Minnesota Duluth Thursday, Oct. 29 ahead of the 2026 NSIC Women's Soccer Tournament.
 
The Beavers will attempt to qualify for their 17^th straight postseason when the NSIC Tournament begins November 2 at campus sites. The winner of the NSIC Tournament earns an automatic bid into the NCAA DII Women's Soccer Tournament which begins Nov. 12. BSU will attempt to qualify for its second consecutive NCAA Tournament and fifth in the last six seasons. BSU has made six NCAA Tournament appearances in its 31-year history.
 
2026 will be the 25^th season under head coach Jim Stone who boasts a 271-144-53 career record. His career winning percentage of .636 is the second-best winning percentage among active coaches in the NSIC. His 24 seasons at a single institution is tied for the 10^th longest tenure among active coaches in Division II.
 
The five-time NSIC Coach of the Year returns an experienced group to the pitch in 2026 with 21 letterwinners returning of the 34 rostered student-athletes. Stone returns United Soccer Coaches All-Region selection Megan Ko as well as All-NSIC selections Madeline Davey (Second Team), Maggie Kramer (Second Team), and Ella Wade (Second Team).
 
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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