BEMIDJI, Minn. — The Bemidji State University Women's Soccer team officially begins the 2026 season this weekend by hosting NCAA Central Region foes Missouri Western State University and Northwest Missouri State University at Chet Anderson Stadium.
 
The Beavers kick-off their 2026 campaign under the lights Friday night at the Chet by hosting Missouri Western at 7 p.m. BSU then hosts Northwest Missouri Sunday after at 1 p.m. Each game will be streamed online at Midco Sports Plus and with play-by-play provided by the Beaver Radio Network. Live stats will also be available for each match, here.
 
About the Beavers
Bemidji State returns 20 letterwinners from the 2025 season where they finished tied for second in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and made their fourth appearance in the NCAA DII Women's Soccer Tournament over the last five seasons. The Beavers aim to qualify for their 17^th consecutive postseason. Stone has added 13 newcomers to the squad that look to make immediate impacts on a roster that features 20 underclassmen.

For the fourth consecutive season, the Beavers were voted to finish third in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Bemidji State has finished third in the NSIC regular season standings in six of the last eight seasons including tying for second last season.
 
Head coach Jim Stone and his staff will need to refuel the Beavers' offense that finished fourth in the NSIC and sixth in the Central Region with 38 goals last season losing 76-percent of the team's goals due to graduation. The Beavers highest point producing returner in 2026 is senior midfielder Ella Wade who is coming off a career-high nine points (2-5—9). BSU's highest returning goal scorer is junior forward Madisen Fritel who tallied three goals last season. Both were named as BSU's preseason offensive and defensive players to watch.
 
Bemidji State does return four All-NSIC selections from 2025 in Wade, Madeline Davey, Megan Ko and Maggie Kramer. Stone has added 13 freshman to the squad with some looking to make immediate impacts on the pitch. Three goalkeepers return from 2025 with sophomore Payton Kropp leading the returners after appearing in four games and 306 minutes last season.
 
About Missouri Western
The Griffons enter 2026 following a successful 2025 season that saw MoWest finish 12-3-7 overall and 6-2-4 in MIAA play. MoWest captured the program's first ever MIAA Tournament Championship, and earned a second consecutive berth to the NCAA Central Region tournament.

MoWest was picked fourth in the 2026 MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll with 108 points after finishing among the conference's top teams a year ago. Missouri Western earned a 2-0 victory last season over the Beavers in St. Joseph, Mo., and is on a three-game unbeaten streak (2-0-1) versus the Beavers.
 
About Northwest Missouri State
Northwest was picked to finish sixth in the 2026 MIAA Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll. The Bearcats placed fifth last year in the MIAA race with a mark of 7-4-1 in league play. Bemidji State is 3-0-0 all-time against the Bearcats and earned a 1-0 victory last year in Maryville, Mo.
 
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).
 
--bsu--