Box Score

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Beavers handed the Northern State University Wolves their first loss in nearly a month with a 2-1 overtime decision Saturday afternoon in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference soccer action.

The Wolves, who entered Saturday's contest riding a seven-game unbeaten streak, suffered their first conference loss of the season, slipping to 5-3-4 overall and 3-1-3 in league play.  BSU, meanwhile, improved to 9-1-0 on the year and 6-1-0 in the loop.

After a scoreless first half in which both teams got off a half dozen shots, the host Beavers struck with just under 13 minutes to go in regulation on a Kirsten Erickson goal in transition.

NSU and junior defender Lexi Jares wasted little time in evening the score.  Jares took a crack at the ball from 20 yards out for her first goal of the season to make it a 1-1 game.

There the score would remain through the end of regulation, sending the Wolves into extra minutes for the sixth time this season.  Four of the five previous overtime games had ended in ties for the Wolves, but no such turnout on Saturday.

BSU's Jenny Stromberg took a service pass from teammate Kara Smyth from the left side and slipped the ball past NSU goalkeeper Dee Wood and the NSU defensive line into the net to end the first overtime period in the eighth minute of play and give the Beavers the win.

The Wolves will look to get back in the win column on Sunday, as they face another of the top teams in the conference in the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, 6-3-2 overall and 6-1-0 in conference play.  Game time is set for 1 p.m. in Duluth.