Eight days after meeting in a regular season finale, the University of Minnesota Duluth soccer team will face Bemidji State University Friday in Mankato, Minn. in the opening semifinal game of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament at Maverick Soccer Complex. Game-time for the Bulldogs' first NSIC semifinal postseason in 12 years is 10:00 a.m.

UMD IN NSIC POSTSEASON PLAY: UMD owns five post season conference tournament titles (1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, and 2009) and returned Monday to the NSIC postseason for the first time since the 2023 season. 

Monday was the Bulldogs first postseason win since they knocked off Augustana University quarterfinals on Nov. 5, 2014, a 1-0 upset in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Friday UMD will be looking for its first NSIC semifinal win since the 2013 season, a 3-1 win over then No. 19 Winona State University on Nov. 19, 2013, also in Mankato, Minn.

VS. BSU: The Bulldogs have a slight 17-13-4 all-time record advantage. Until UMD defeated the Beavers eight days ago on Griggs Field on Oct. 29 2-0, it hadn't beat BSU since 2014. 

The Bulldog are 1-8-1 in their last 10 games against the Beavers, 

LAST TIME OUT:  UMD defeated Augustana University 2-0 Monday night inside James S. Malosky Stadium, and after strike in the 24th minute, the Bulldogs never looked back.

Junior Gwendolyn Lilly finished in a cross from Amelia Castleberg at 23:17 to take the 1-0 lead, giving UMD an early advantage despite an even 5-5 shot count and a 6-1 foul count that favored AU. 

Helvig headed one in of her own in the 53rd minute off a corner form Mariss VanDeHei to extend the Bulldogs lead to 2-0, and it would be all the offense UMD would need to secure the win.

Goaltender Ey Halverson – named the NSIC Goaltender of the Week just hours before the game kicked off – recorded five saves for UMD, who outshot the Vikings 14-10 and had eight corner kicks to AU's six. 

BULLDOG NOTES: UMD has not given up a goal over its past four games … the Bulldogs have played a little over 397 minutes without allowing a goal over their current shutout streak … Nora Helvig is now tied for the team points lead with 18 points on seven goals and four assists, and had her second multiple point game of the season Monday night.

UMD'S ALL-NSIC HAUL: UMD soccer sophomore midfielder Nora Helvig has been named the NSIC Midfielder of the Year, earning a seventh conference player of the year award for the Bulldogs in program history.

A product of Lino Lakes, Minn., Helvig was tied for 10th in NSIC play with 15 points and was tied for third in game-winning goals (3). Helvig started all 19 games and had a team-best 18 points on seven goals and four assists. With six of her seven tallies in league play, Helvig had the seventh most goals in NSIC action. 

Helvig joins Hannah Bengston (2009, Defensive Player of the Year), Sharon Lahti (1997, Player of the Year), Reegan Lloyd (2011, Defensive Player of the Year), Sheridan Reiners (2014, Newcomer of the Year), Maureen Stormont (2013, Player of the Year) and Jenny Warrick (1999, Player of the Year) as Bulldogs who have been tabbed for end of year league honors over UMD's history.

 In addition to Helvig's big honor, the Bulldogs had four players named to the two All-Conference NSIC teams. Helvig was named to the All-NSIC First Team, while forward Lauren McGough, defender Keira Olabode and goaltender Edy Halverson were all name to the All-NSIC Second team.

McGough led UMD with eight goals – sixth in the NSIC – and tied for the team-lead of 18 points over 19 games. The junior attacker from Farmington, Minn. had four game-winning goals which was also the fourth most in the conference.

Olabode played in all 19 games for UMD so far this season and logged two goals, including one game-winning goal. The native of Prior Lake, Minn. was part of a Bulldog backline that allowed the third least goals in the NSIC – 13 and the third lowest goals against average – .68 a game.

Halverson started in 17 games and allowed just 10 goals for a 0.59 goals against average – the second lowest in the NSIC. The product of Mendota Heights, Minn. owns the second highest saves percentage (.861) and the third-most shutouts (9). UMD has not allowed a goal in its last four games – all shutouts with Halverson in between the pipes.

CANE GAINS 300 UMD WINS: UMD bench boss Greg Cane secured his 300th win at UMD Thursday, Oct. 29 with a 2-0 win over BSU. Last season, Cane picked up his 300th overall coaching career win on Sept. 19th, 2025 against the University of Sioux Falls in a 5-1 rout.