On a windy Friday afternoon at the WSC Soccer Pitch, Bemidji State proved their No. 3 national ranking as they defeated Wayne State 3-0 in NSIC action.
With the strong gusts at the back of the Wildcats, the first 25 minutes of the game were spent in the Beavers’ half of the field. With an exception of a tame shot saved by freshman goalkeeper Alyssa Bagley, the Wildcats enjoyed prolonged spells of possession.
Bemidji State broke the deadlock after 29 minutes, however, as Bemidji State and the NSIC’s leading goal-scorer, Rachael Norton, scored her 15th of the season after beating Bagley 1-on-1 to open the scoring.
The Beavers doubled their advantage in the 50th minute through the foot of Alanna Mattson. Combination play found her with the ball at her foot 12 yards out, firing it in to go up 2-0. Norton added her second of the day only five minutes later off a corner kick to push the lead to three.
Bemidji State out-shot Wayne State 12-8 on the day, with an 8-3 advantage in shots on goal. Bagley finished the day with five saves, while Carleigh Wilson (2) and Samantha Phillips (1) had shots on goal for the Wildcats.
“I thought we were better in the second half than the first, but unfortunately that was the half we faced the 20 mile-per-hour wind,” remarked Wildcat head coach Joe Cleary. “Bemidji State is a good squad and they took their chances well.”
Wayne State (3-10-1, 3-8-1 NSIC) looks to get back to winning ways on Sunday afternoon, hosting Minnesota Crookston at 1 p.m. at the WSC Soccer Pitch. Seniors and parents will be honored before the game.
