WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University soccer team hosted the nationally-ranked Bemidji State Beavers on Sunday, Oct. 1, in a key NSIC showdown for both teams.
Although Winona State scored first through
Madisson Watts, BSU answered with pair of goals in the first half to escape Maxwell Field with the maximum points in the NSIC standings.
Key Details: Bemidji State 2, Winona State 1
Attendance: 322
How It Happened:
The first scoring chance for either team fell to Winona State's
Madyson Dye, whose free kick from 35 yards out tested Bemidji State goalkeeper Edie Frantzen, forcing the Beaver GK into her first save of the match.
Bemidji State answered back with a shot on goal from Keely Yager in the 13th minute, stopped and held cleanly by WSU goalkeeper
Alyson Jumper.
Moments after Jumper's save, WSU substitute
Madisson Watts scored for Winona State, intercepting a BSU pass across the back and calmly putting her second touch past Frantzen for the early 1-0 Warrior lead.
Following the goal, both benches subbed frequently, with kickoff temperatures close to 90 degrees on the day, each team's coaching staff electing to use a host of subs.
BSU increased their attacking pressure as the first half wore on, with Miah Olson and Ella Wade both putting efforts on frame for the Beavers. Wade's drive from distance was met with a stellar save by Jumper, as the junior keeper was able to steer the shot over the crossbar.
The Beavers then tied the game on the ensuing corner, as a long ball to back post rattled around and was eventually put over the line by Beavers' Madeline Davey.
With the score tied at 1-1, both coaches continued to substitute frequently, allowing for
Maddie Skalicky and
Morgan Liebau to step on for the Warriors.
Following a BSU throw in, the Beavers took the lead wth Sylve Waters eluded her Warrior defender and slotted a ball past an onrushing Jumper.
The two teams finished the half trading fouls, and headed into the locker room with a 2-1 scoreline in favor of Bemidji State.
At the Half: Bemidji State 2, Winona State 1
Following the start of the second, the hot and humid conditions raised the intensity on the field as a handful of yellow cards were dealt by center referee Oscar Olanda. WSU's
Reanne Weil was booked in the 48th minute following a foul and BSU's Maggie Cade picked up a caution one minute later after felling the Warriors' Johanna Schubert who had gotten free on the right flank.
BSU would earn a spate of corner kicks midway through the second half, but were held at bay by Jumper who came off her line on a couple of occasions to intercept a cross headed for a Beaver on the back post.
Winona State earned their first corner of the game at the 71st minute; a good cross on the ensuing set piece was intercepted by Frantzen in the Beaver goal.
Following a stoppage to assess a yellow card to the Bemidji State coaching staff, Winona State sought to ignite their attack, subbing on
Grace Seim and
Adrianna Bixby in the later stages of the final 45.
The final shot of the game fell to Bemidji State's Katrina Barthelt, saved by Jumper as the final minute counted down, leaving WSU unable to find the equalizer in the end.
With the 2-1 setback, Winona State settled for three points on their first home NSIC weekend, having beaten Minnesota Crookston 4-0 on Friday.
Beyond the Boxscore:
Bemidji State ran their unbeaten streak against Winona State to 11 straight.
WSU earned 16 corners on Friday vs. UMC but had just one on Sunday.
The five yellow cards issued in the WSU - BSU match was the most so far in a 2023 Warrior contest.
Up Next:
Winona State (2-4-3, 1-3-2 NSIC) will continue their home stand, hosting the University of Sioux Falls on Friday, Oct. 6. The Warriors and Cougars will kick off at 5 p.m. in Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium.
