NSIC in MN: Bemidji and Mankato through to 2nd Round

For the whole 21 season, Bemidji and Mankato were to top two D2 squads in the State. As we expected, both teams, who contested the NSIC Conference Tournament final, made their way to the NCAA Tournament. Mankato received the Central Region #2 seed, leapfrogging Bemidji who came in as the #3. Each team traveled to Emporia, Kansas for the first games of the Tournament on Friday, and they both came away with wins to propel them into the 2nd round on Sunday.

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BSU beats Central Oklahoma 5-3 in Penalties after scoreless draw

For 110 minutes, neither Bemidji State or Central Oklahoma could break the dead lock in their first round matchup, so it came down to penalties. Winning on PK's means two things, making your shots and hoping your keeper gets a stop. The Beavers did not mess around, making all 5 of their shots convincingly. Erin Becker, Sara Wendt, Allyson Smith, and Halle Peterson hit their kicks, and on the 4th shot for Central Oklahama, Keeper Alyssa Stumbaugh made a HUGE stop to give BSU the edge. Emma Huelsnitz stepped up with a chance to win and she buried it. 

Bemidji now faces Emporia State, who is hosting the round, on Sunday at 2pm Central Time. Emporia beat Northwest Missouri State 2-0 in their first round game. Emporia is unbeaten in their last 27 games at home, riding a 12 match winning streak. 

Stream the game for free here:
​https://themiaanetwork.com/esuhornets/ 

Mankato cruises to 3-0 1st round win over Oklahoma Baptist

After 45 minutes of scoreless soccer, Mankato started the 2nd half by scoring 3 goals in 8 minutes. Olivia Thoen, Caitlin Brown and Jenny Vettter shared the goals on the day as Mankato extended their current unbeaten streak to 17 matches. In their last 3 games, against solid competition, Mankato has 11 goals for, 2 against. I'd say their finding form at the right time. 

Their 2nd round matchup is a chance for revenge. They face Central Missouri this Sunday at 1pm. Aside from an early loss at Augustana, Mankato's only loss of the year was an early trip to Central Missouri, where they lost 3-4. Central Missouri won their 1st round game against Southwestern Oklahoma 1-0 and come in with an 18-3-1 record overall. 

​Stream the game for free here:
https://themiaanetwork.com/ucmmules/