WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University women's soccer team battled through two over-time periods to earn a 1-1 draw with Bemidji State University on Friday, as the Warriors kicked off a two-game home stand.
Senior goalkeeper
Yanel Ortiz registered eight saves en route to the tie with the Beavers and
Riley Harmon added to her team-leading point total with her fourth goal of the year.
Winona State (3-7-1 / 2-6-1 NSIC) scored first through Harmon, as she notched an unassisted tally in the 26th minute. Harmon's goal reflected the strong start WSU had in the match, which was the second straight contest in which the Warriors faced a nationally-ranked team. Bemidji State (10-0-2 / 7-0-2 NSIC) is ranked 11th by the United Soccer Coaches and went into the weekend second in the NSIC standings, behind only Minot State.
Bemidji State tied the match with ten minutes to go in the first half when Anna Breffle worked a combination play with Mason Shilling and shot past an outstretched Ortiz to knot the game at 1-1.
In a contest that featured a strong defensive presence in midfield from both teams, Winona State leaned on Ortiz to make some key stops throughout the match.
The first half saw the Beavers out-shoot the Warriors by a 8-7 count, with Ortiz racking up five first-half saves. Her counterpart, Alyassa Stumbaugh made a key stop in the second half, going full extension on a dive to her left to push a
Missy Greco shot just onto the right post and out of danger. Greco led Winona State with three shots on goal in the game.
In addition to Ortiz, two Winona State players went the full 110 minutes on the pitch, with center-back
Bailey Deininger and fellow defender
Katie Timmons factoring in as key components in the Warrior backline. In holding Bemidji State to just one goal, WSU become just the second team this season to hold the Beaver offense to a single score.
For the game, Bemidji State held the edge in shots, 17-9 and shots on goal, 9-4. The Beavers earned six corner kicks, while the Warriors had one.
Winona State will look to close out their home weekend with a win on Sunday, Oct. 17 as the Warriors take on Minnesota Crookston (1-10 / 1-7 NSIC). Kickoff time is set for 1pm in Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium.
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit:
www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and
@WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words:
Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.
