歪歪漫画

BEMIDJI -- Ties aren鈥檛 supposed to feel like losses, but Friday鈥檚 draw certainly wasn鈥檛 the best-case scenario for the Bemidji State women鈥檚 soccer team.

鈥淚t鈥檚 always tough when you feel like you gave something away,鈥� BSU head coach Jim Stone said. 鈥淵ou have it, and it just slips out of your hands. But credit to them. They put us under a lot of pressure. They caused us to crack just for a second.鈥�

The Beavers were seconds away from posting a statement win against No. 16 Minnesota State, a team that defeated then-No. 1 and two-time defending national champion Grand Valley State less than two weeks ago. Instead, the Mavericks equalized on Jenny Vetter鈥檚 header in the 90th minute, resulting in a sour 1-1 tie for Bemidji State at Chet Anderson Stadium.

鈥淵ou try to throw the frustration off,鈥� Stone said. 鈥淣ow, we know we can play with anyone in the country. We already felt like that, but now we know we can. It sets a high standard, and there are no excuses going forward now.鈥�

BSU (3-1-2, 2-0-1 NSIC) was the better team for most of the match. The Beavers were the aggressor right away, and Allyson Smith nearly had a hat trick within the first two minutes.

Perhaps that claim borders on hyperbolic, but Smith rocketed a shot just high, then pushed one just wide of the far post, and then forced the MSU keeper to make a diving save on another low ball -- all in the opening 118 seconds.

If nothing else, it proved that Bemidji State certainly came to play.

鈥淚t sets a tone for the rest of the season,鈥� fifth-year forward Sara Wendt said. 鈥淲e need to come out this hard against every team.鈥�

Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer

Wendt ultimately did score for BSU in the 55th minute, hitting the side netting from just inside the box on a low roller. Erin Becker set her up with a perfect through ball, and Wendt connected on what seemed destined to become a game-winner.

鈥淭hat moment was classic Sara Wendt,鈥� Stone said. 鈥淪he made a good run in, and Becker played a dime of a ball for a clinic finish. She鈥檚 been doing that for three or four years now, so it wasn鈥檛 surprising to see it in that moment.鈥�

鈥淚 really owe it to my team,鈥� Wendt added. 鈥淚f we hadn鈥檛 won that ball, and if Erin hadn鈥檛 played the ball through, I wouldn鈥檛 have scored. That goal is 100% a team goal.鈥�

But one more would have been monumental, because a lack of breathing room against a program like Minnesota State can often prove costly.

The Beavers had plenty of chances. Maria Stocke had a window to fire from close range but couldn鈥檛 direct the shot on target. Megan Dahl headed on a corner kick that struck the crossbar and sailed out of play. Becker blasted a trickling ball just high of the net.

鈥淭hat was another tough piece of the game,鈥� Stone said. 鈥淲e created some really great opportunities, but we only tucked one in.鈥�

Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer

The Mavericks (4-1-1, 2-0-1 NSIC) ramped up the pressure in the final 20 minutes. As steady rain started to descend on the pitch, the Beavers endured precipitation and opposing determination.

It looked like they were going to withstand every last push, but the final one eventually bit them.

First, Ashlyn Watt booted a high ball into the box from behind midfield. Vetter let it bounce, ran underneath it, then leapt up for a soft header that arched over Bemidji State keeper Alyssa Stumbaugh with 54 seconds remaining.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a little heartbreaking,鈥� Wendt said. 鈥淛enny Vetter is a very good player. She has all the honors for it. We just need to get better at a couple things, like holding in there. Yeah, it鈥檚 heartbreaking to tie, but we can鈥檛 really hang our heads on it. We have a lot of season left.鈥�

Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer

Stumbaugh ended the match with six saves. Mackenzie Rath had three for MSU.

Bemidji State will close the weekend by hosting Concordia-St. Paul at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18, back at the Chet.

Bemidji State 1, Minnesota State 1

MSU 0 1 -- 1

BSU 0 1 -- 1

First half -- No scoring.

Second half -- 1, BSU GOAL, Wendt (Becker), 55鈥�; 2, MSU GOAL, Vetter (Watt), 90鈥�.

Saves -- Stumbaugh (BSU) 6; Rath (MSU) 3.

Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer

Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer

Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer