It was a tale of two halves for the University of Minnesota Duluth soccer team Friday night inside James S. Malosky Stadium. Despite breaking through in the first half to open the scoring, the Bulldogs surrendered three goals in the second period for the 3-1 setback -- UMD's first of the season.


It looked like the Bulldogs might extend their sweet start to the season at the 31:22 mark of the opening half when Kaitlyn Beavers won a 50/50 ball and proceeded to rip a shot from 30 yards out that got past Beaver goaltender Payton Kropp for the first goal of the sophomore transfer's young UMD career. The goal gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead -- one they would take into halftime of the nonconference game.


But the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Katrina Barthelt and the Beavers had other ideas. Barthelt figured in all three of BSU goals, and it started at 48:20 in the second half when the forward chipped the ball up to Molly Burkstrand, who spun and beat reigning NSIC Goaltender of the Week Kaycee Chavez. Less than five minutes later, BSU took a 2-1 lead on a shot from Barthelt, and then 11:50 later, Barthelt forced a yellow card on Chavez in the box and buried the penalty shot to extend the Beaver lead to 3-1.


While the Bulldogs again piled up the corner kicks -- including six in the second half and a 9-1 advantage for the game, they were unable to convert. The Bulldogs also owned a 11-7 shots advantage, including a 6-5 lead in shots on goals. Chavez made two saves for UMD, while Kropp had five for BSU, who improves to 2-1 overall.


UMD (1-1-1) will continue its current homestand next weekend when it moves into NSIC play Friday and Sunday. Friday's game is set against the University of Sioux Falls, and will get underway at 6:00 p.m.