The University of Minnesota Duluth women's soccer team fell 2-1 against the Bemidji State Beavers to kick-off homecoming under the lights on a beautiful Friday evening in Duluth. The Bulldogs moved to 3-5-2 overall on the season and 2-3-2 in NSIC play.
 
The Bulldogs started the game pressing the Beavers as they controlled the pace of play during the early onset of the first half. The Beavers quickly answered back, with a few shots on goal, but Bulldog junior goalkeeper #33 Jennifer Norris was there to make the saves.
 
UMD junior Jackie Jares put a shot on target that led to a corner kick for the Bulldogs. On the ensuing corner kick, senior Lauren Hansen made a sneaky pass to fellow senior Sarah Stange for a great opportunity, but the Bulldogs could not convert.
 
The remaining 20 minutes of the first half featured back and forth play by both teams. UMD had a free kick opportunity with 13:55 remaining in the first half after a yellow card from Bemidji State on a breakaway by the Bulldogs. The Beavers, however, would strike with 9:48 remaining in the first half off a free kick from #24 Megan Majewski that found the foot of #9 Megan Dahl from Bemidji State to put the Bulldogs down 0-1. UMD would quickly answer with a rush and shot from Myra Moorjani, but the Beavers goalkeeper would make a diving save. Neither team was able to add digits to the scoreboard the remainder of the first half.
 
The second half began with similar pace of the first half, with the Bulldogs coming out with several rush advantages. The Bulldogs finally broke through with 21:33 remaining in the second half after a strike from #21 Eliana Marciano (assist from senior Sarah Stange). Immediately after, goalkeeper Jennifer Norris came out of the net to make a sliding save on a Bemidji State chance. The Bulldogs and the Beavers battled throughout the rest of the second half which saw physical play on both sides of the pitch. The Beavers would convert with less than 2:00 minutes to play after a goal from Erin Becker to give Bemidji State the victory.
 
"We had great opportunities tonight, but couldn't convert when it counted," said head coach Greg Cane. "Bemidji State is a tough opponent, but our team controlled the pace and play but we couldn't finish in the end. We will need to refocus and come back on Sunday looking to earn points in the NSIC standings."
 
Up next for the Bulldogs is a homecoming finale on Sunday, October 2^nd at 1:00 pm, as the Golden Eagles from Minnesota Crookston visit Duluth. UMD will also welcome back women's soccer alumni as part of alumni weekend.