The Bemidji State University Women’s Soccer team earned a point on the road Friday afternoon, but not without some late drama, as the Beavers and University of Minnesota Crookston battled to a 1-1 draw in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action at UMC Soccer Field.

Bemidji State struck first and carried a 1-0 lead into halftime before Minnesota Crookston found an equalizer early in the second half. Despite controlling much of the play and holding advantages in shots and corner kicks, the Beavers were unable to find a go-ahead goal over the final 31 minutes.

The Beavers opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Molly Burkstrand found the back of the net off an assist from Madisen Fritel. The goal gave BSU an early 1-0 advantage and marked Burkstrand’s first tally of the season.

Bemidji State generated four first-half shots and earned three corner kicks while limiting Minnesota Crookston to just one shot over the opening 45 minutes. The Beavers carried the one-goal advantage into the halftime break.

Minnesota Crookston responded in the 60th minute when Marasia Warren scored to even the match at 1-1. The Golden Eagles capitalized on one of their six shots of the afternoon, pulling level at 59:01 of the second half.

The Beavers pressed for a winner throughout the final half hour. Madisen Fritel tested the Crookston goalkeeper twice in the second half, while Burkstrand nearly provided a late game-winner in the 90th minute, but goalkeeper Phoenix DeBrusk made the save to keep the match even.

Defensively, Bemidji State goalkeeper Payton Kropp came up big when called upon, stopping all three shots she faced on goal in the second half. Her saves on attempts by Tessa VanOverbeke, Iris Osei-Tutu, and Emmah Burnes helped the Beavers secure the draw.

Bemidji State finished with a 7-6 edge in shots, including a 4-1 advantage in shots on goal. The Beavers also held a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks and controlled much of the attacking possession throughout the contest.

With the result, Bemidji State moves to 5-3-4 overall and 4-2-3 in NSIC play, while Minnesota Crookston moves to 0-7-5 overall and 0-6-3 in conference action.

The Beavers now return home and prepare to host Minnesota State University, Moorhead Sunday afternoon at Chet Anderson Stadium.