BEMIDJI -- If at first you don鈥檛 succeed, try, try again.
That saying didn鈥檛 exactly come from a fortune cookie, but the proverb sure played into the fortunes of the Bemidji State women鈥檚 soccer team on Friday.
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The Beavers had limited scoring chances against Northern State at Chet Anderson Stadium, but persistence was rewarded when Katrina Barthelt buried the lone strike and delivered BSU a 1-0 win.
鈥淚t took everyone,鈥� the freshman forward said. 鈥淭hat whole entire play, everyone was involved in it. It was in and out of the goal, back and forth. But everyone pressing on the ball to keep it going is what put it (in the net), all of us working towards it.鈥�
Maggie Cade delivered an inswinging corner kick in the 50th minute, one designed for Sara Wendt to head on target. Wendt got a slight touch on it, but the ball never made it past a pack of Wolves defending the net from inside the box.
The ball bounced to Barthelt, who pushed it forward with no luck. Then Halle Peterson had a go, tapping it past the keeper with a clever flick but seeing a defender clear it off the line at the last second.
But finally, the ball caromed back to Barthelt, and she found an opening with a left-footed strike from close range.
鈥淪he鈥檚 got a nose for the net, a knack for scoring goals,鈥� Bemidji State head coach Jim Stone said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 got good pace, she鈥檚 strong. Early on, she鈥檚 shown really good signs of being coachable and taking information and being able to use it. There鈥檚 a lot there that we鈥檙e excited about.鈥�
Not many true freshmen have the luxury of significant playing time, nor a starting role. But Barthelt has carved out both in the early goings of the season, playing 41 minutes on Friday and becoming the first player on the team with multiple goals this year.
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鈥淏eing a freshman, it鈥檚 crazy that I get to be out here and do it,鈥� Barthelt said. 鈥淭urning around and seeing everyone come together and hug is the best feeling ever. 鈥� Everyone around me is making me a lot better.鈥�
The Beavers (2-1-1, 1-0 NSIC) made sure the goal stood for the final 40 minutes. The BSU midfield and backline buoyed the offense with a strong second half, keeping Northern State (2-2, 0-1 NSIC) from ever seriously threatening to tie.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got a great backline,鈥� Stone said. 鈥淲e have two of the best center backs in the country. We鈥檝e got some really solid outside backs, a great goalkeeper. We鈥檝e got a pretty good foundation that we can build on top of.鈥�
In the first half, Bemidji State struggled to string passes together. It hampered their flow and limited offensive opportunities, but Barthelt鈥檚 goal just out of halftime was a relieving difference-maker against a stout defense.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e really, really good defensively,鈥� Stone said of NSU. 鈥淲e knew they were going to be a tough nut to crack. When that first one went in, it was a good feeling. 鈥� I saw some improvement in terms of more possession in the second half. We created more scoring opportunities. I think there were some positive things that we can take forward.鈥�
Bemidji State goalkeeper Alyssa Stumbaugh recorded three saves, her second shutout of the young season. Northern State keeper Alexus Townsend had five saves.
The Beavers are back on the pitch at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, to host Minnesota State Moorhead back at the Chet.
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The action doesn鈥檛 stop just because the game ends. Megan Majewski just got engaged to boyfriend Pierre Piche on the field postgame.
— Micah Friez (@micahfriez)
Bemidji State 1, Northern State 0
NSU 0 0 -- 0
BSU 0 1 -- 1
First half -- No scoring.
Second half -- 1, BSU GOAL, Barthelt (Peterson), 50鈥�.
Saves -- Stumbaugh (BSU) 3; Townsend (NSU) 5.
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