Huskies Suffer 3-1 Loss at Bemidji State

• Box Score

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Michigan Tech soccer team traveled to Bemidji State University Friday afternoon for the first road match of the 2018 season. The Huskies grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first half, but three unanswered goals by the Beavers in the final 45 minutes resulted in the final decision of 3-1.

"We had a solid first half and got a great goal from Marisa," Head Coach Michelle Jacob said. "Bemidji State is definitely a strong team and came out very strong in the second half. We had some difficulties as a team and we look forward to learning from them and making our team stronger as we move forward."

Bemidji State (3-0-0) went on the attack early, but Michigan Tech (1-1-1) withstood the charge thanks to some good defense in front of the net and a pair of saves by sophomore goalkeeper Amanda Young. The Huskies were able to regroup offensively and made a bid for the lead when senior Marisa DeMario aimed for the top shelf in the 16^th minute, just missing the net when the ball deflected off the crossbar.

Young made another save in the 21^st minute to keep the match scoreless and then in the 31^st minute Tech's offensive pressure paid off. DeMario got another look at the net and this time she connected on her first goal of the season. Freshman Grace Shaw logged her first collegiate assist after setting up DeMario in the open field with a precision pass.

The Huskies carried the 1-0 advantage into the 41^st minute and nearly added to the goal total. Sophomore Brooke Schauer had a strike deflected by a defender near the net and a few short seconds later freshman Alicia Shatrau forced Bemidji State goalie Anna Fobbe to make a tough save.

Tech maintained the lead into halftime and through the opening minutes of the second period before the Beavers tied it up. Dani Nelson picked up her second goal of the season off an assist by Allyson Smith in the 52^nd minute, deadlocking the score at 1-1. About nine minutes later, the Beavers pulled in front 2-1 as Smith posted the goal by slipping the ball inside the post. Nelson was given the assist after creating a one on one opportunity for Smith against Young with the pass.

The Huskies kept battling though to create scoring opportunities in an effort to tie the match. Shatrau challenged Fobbe on a strike in the 74^th minute which had to be deflected away. Unfortunately, the Beavers would tack on a key insurance goal in the 80^th minute to make it a 3-1 score. Smith posted her second goal of the match with Isabelle Morin assisting on the play.

Michigan Tech had a couple of more chances late as Shaw had another shot on goal which was turned away in the 81^st minute. Schauer then had one go wide in the 86^th minute as Bemidji State was able maintain the 3-1 lead to the final horn.

DeMario paced the Huskies' offense with two shots and the Tech goal while Shatrau and Schauer each had two attempts as well. Shaw attempted one shot on goal and picked up the assist on DeMario's goal. Young played all 90 minutes in net and made seven saves.

Rachael Norton had a match high seven shots for Bemidji State followed by Smith with five shots, two goals, and one assist. Nelson ended the afternoon with three shots, one goal, and one assist. As a team, the Beavers had a 22-9 advantage in total shots. Fobbe recorded three saves in 90 minutes of work in front of the net.

The Huskies will look to bounce back on Sunday afternoon when they travel to Winona State for another non-conference match. The contest is scheduled for 1 p.m.