The Bemidji State University soccer team looks to continue home field advantage this weekend as it hosts a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matches. The Beavers will face University of Mary Saturday at 11 a.m. before wrapping up their home stand against Minot State University at 1 p.m.

Last time out
Sarah Stram (F, Fr., Elk Grove Village, Ill.) scored and Tiffany VanHaaften (M, Chaska, Minn.) earned an assist to help the Beavers get on the scoring sheet, but BSU ended up losing both matches Oct. 18 and 20. The Beavers dropped a 1-0 battle at Winona State University before falling to to Upper Iowa University, 2-1, Sunday. Sonja Barr (GK, Jr., Duluth, Minn.) made both starts saving a combined 12 shots.

The Beavers move to 9-5-0 on the season and 6-5-0 in NSIC play. With just two weeks to go in the 2013 regular season, BSU’s back is against the wall as it fights to remain among the top eight teams in the league standings and claim a playoff berth.

Scouting University of Mary
U-Mary is 3-9-2 overall. Alex Bachman-Williams who has seven goals and one assist giving her 15 points on the season leads the Marauders. Shelby Buttron has started every game but one this year in goal and has posted a goals against average of 1.83.

Series Notes
Bemidji State and U-Mary have met 16 times prior to Saturday’s match. The Marauders have dominated the series owning a record of 12-3-1 and has held Bemidji State without a win since 2010. The Beavers last victory in the series came by a 1-0 score October 31, 2010.

Scouting Minot State University
Minot State is 5-6-2 to open the season. The Beavers open the weekend on a three-game winning. Zoe Fisher who has three goals and five assists in 2013 leads MSU. Kayla Schlittenhart, who has three goals and one assist on the season, has also been a major contributor to MSU’s attack.

Series Notes
Bemidji State and Minot State have met four times prior to Sunday’s match. After earning wins in third first three meetings between the teams, BSU lost the last meeting between these teams, 2-1, in double overtime October 20, 2012. Three of the four previous meetings have been settled by one goal.

What to watch for
The Beavers look to keep their home field advantage at the Chet Anderson Stadium as they are 4-2 at home this season.

Nyquist looks to continue her great form in passing as she leads the Beavers with four assists.

Stram looks to continue her great freshman year start. She leads the Beavers with six goals and 15 points.

The Beavers look to continue to move the ball around as they lead their opponents in assists, 20-13.