Huskies Rally to Beat Bemidji State

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Michigan Tech soccer team rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit at Bemidji State on Sunday, scoring two unanswered goals in the final 45 minutes to secure a 2-1 victory. The win by the Huskies was their third straight and second on the road trip this weekend. The Beavers entered Sunday's match unbeaten at 3-0.

"I thought we did a great job again today of controlling the play and pace of the game," Michigan Tech Head Coach Michelle Jacob said. "In the first half I thought we took some quick shots, but in the second half we settled into our offense, worked the ball forward, and got some great looks at the net on combination plays which resulted in the two goals. I thought our defense was outstanding again today against a very good Bemidji State team. Kirsen (Hudak) played well in goal and our back line stepped up again today as well. Our forwards also provided a boost defensively against a very potent offense which has been tough to stop this year."

Bemidji State (3-1) had combined to score 13 goals in their first three contests of the year while holding opponents to a pair of goals. The Beavers got the upper hand late in the first half on a goal set up off a corner kick. Melanie Peltier lofted the ball into the box where Miranda Famstead headed in to the back of the net in the 36^th minute. However, it would be the first and only goal of the afternoon for the Beavers.

Michigan Tech (3-1) regrouped at the break and went on the attack in the early moments of the final half. The Huskies knocked on the door when sophomore midfielder Andrea Zubke missed a shot just wide of the net. However, a few minutes later Tech struck pay dirt when senior forward Jaci Mielke fired the ball past the goal line for the second time in as many games to knot the score 1-1 in the 67^th minute. Senior defender Emily Morin pushed the ball through an opening in the defense to Mielke who was in position to take the shot. It was Morin's first assist of the 2016 season.

With time winding down on the second half clock, the Huskies pulled in front on a blast by freshman forward Claire Dagesse. It was her first career and game winning kick and it came in the 87^th minute of the match. Junior defender Olivia Smith setup the strike when she moved the ball up the field and found an open Dagesse in front of the net. Smith, who had the assist on the game winner Friday night at Minnesota Duluth, set up the game winning goal again on Sunday and earned her second assist of the season.

Meanwhile, the Tech defense stonewalled the Bemidji attack with junior goalie Kirsen Hudak making three crucial saves in the second frame. The third and final save of the match was recorded with just seven seconds on the clock. Famstead was in search of her second goal of the afternoon, but this time her header attempt was turned away by Hudak to preserve the victory.

Mielke guided the Tech offense with six shots, including four on goal, and was credited with the game tying strike. Dagesse took one shot in the match and it went in for the game winner. The Huskies had the edge in total shots 18-15 and also owned the advantage in shots on goal at 9-6. Defensively, Hudak played all 90 minutes and made five saves on her way to her third win of the season.

Famstead paced the Beavers with three shots and their only goal of the afternoon. Catherine Arneson posted seven saves during 90 minutes in front of the net for Bemidji State.

The Huskies will be back on the pitch Saturday when they travel to Northern Michigan University for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

"This weekend was a big confidence builder for our team as we get ready to face Northern Michigan next weekend," Jacob added.