The No. 10 Bemidji State University Soccer Team earned its first NCAA Tournament victory, 3-1, over Minot State University courtesy of a pair of goals scored by sophomore forward Allyson Smith and a game winning goal from the NSIC’s Offensive Player of the Year, senior forward Rachael Norton.

The Beavers assembled a program-record 17 wins during the regular season en route to the NSIC title for the right to host the opening two rounds. NSU battled frigid conditions an a snow-covered field to post the two-goal victory to extend the season by at least one game.

BSU controlled long stretches of play through the game and out shot MSU 27-15 with a 17-11 edge in shots on goal.

Smith got the scoring started in the 11th minute, corralling a rebound in front of the net of an Alanna Mattson shot and slipping it past the Minot State goalkeeper.

The Beavers continued to apply offensive pressure which would result a a penalty kick for the Beavers however, BSU missed the opportunity to assemble a two-goal cushion. Just minuted later, in the 56th minute, BSU senior and all-time goal-scoring leader Rachael Norton willed the 2-0 lead slicing the MSU defense apart and taking the ball to the net for her 20th goal of 2018-19.

In the sixth minute, MSU earned a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. The Beavers would slip en ensuing kick around the wall to Jordyn Cook, who beat the BSU goalkeeper Anna Fobbe in the 60th minute.

Bemidji Sate got the goal back in the 69th minute on a set piece of their own. Mel Peltier took a corner kick and Smith redirected it inside the left post.

Anna Fobbe logged her 18th victory in goal, pushing her record to 18-0-2, making 10 saves in 90 minute of action.

The Beavers now advance to the second round to face third-seeded University of Central Missouri (17-4-1), which earned a 3-1 win over Augustana University in round one. The opening kick is set for 1 p.m. at Chet Anderson Stadium. Tune into 1300 KPMI AM beginning at 12:30 p.m. for the Beaver Radio Network’s pregame show.

Dani Nelson Pregame Player Pregame

Jim Stone Pregame postgame

BSU 1-0 10:43 Smith, Allyson (Mattson, Alanna, Norton, Rachael) BSU GOAL 1-0

BSU 2-0 55:15 Norton, Rachael BSU GOAL 2-0

BSU 3-1 68:32 Smith, Allyson (Peltier, Melanie ) BSU GOAL 3-1

Jim Stone Postgame postgame

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