#3 Bemidji State 3 Wayne State 0

            On a windy Friday afternoon at the WSC Soccer Pitch, Bemidji State proved their #3 national ranking as they defeated Wayne State 3-0 in NSIC action. Bemidji State improves their unblemished record to 15-0 (12-0 NSIC), while Wayne State falls to 3-10-1 (3-8-1 NSIC).
            With the strong gusts at the back of the Wildcats, the first 25 minutes of the game were spent in the Beaver's 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, after Bemidji State and NSIC's leading goal-scorer Rachael Norton scored her 15th of the season after beating Bagley 1-on-1 to open the Beaver's account.
            Bemidji State slowly took control of the first half in the last 15 minutes, out-shooting Wayne State 6-2, forcing Bagley into two saves. Wayne State recorded the only corner kick, while only three fouls were committed in the first half (BSU-2, WSC-1).
            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.
            Both sides created a fair amount of chances in the last 30 minutes but neither able to find the back of the net. Both sides created four chances, with Bemidji forcing Bagley into three saves in the final third of the game.
            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 5 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 mph wind," remarked Wildcat head coach Joe Cleary.  "Bemidji State is a good squad and they took their chances well."
            Wayne State looks to get back to winning ways on Sunday afternoon, taking on Minnesota Crookston at 1 p.m. at the WSC Soccer Pitch. Seniors and parents will be honored before the game.