CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston soccer team put together some of their finest soccer of recent memory, as they earned a 1-1 tie Friday, October 9 against perennial NSIC power Bemidji State University.
The Golden Eagles earned their first positive result against Bemidji State since a 3-0 win over the Beavers October 6, 2002 in Crookston. Minnesota Crookston snapped a 26-game losing streak against the Beavers with Friday's 1-1 Homecoming tie.
Minnesota Crookston moved to 0-7-5 (0-6-3 NSIC) with the tie against the Beavers. The Golden Eagles earned their fifth tie, making it the second-most draws ever for the Golden Eagle soccer team. The record is six ties in 2014. Bemidji State sits at 5-3-4 (4-2-3 NSIC) after Friday's draw.
The Golden Eagles had six shots, with four on goal. Minnesota Crookston was paced by the goal from Marasia Warren (Fr., F, Vermillion, S.D.), the first of her career and second point after her assist Sunday. Emmah Burnes (Sr., MF, Tulare, Calif.) led the team with two shots, one on goal. Tessa VanOverbeke (Sr., D, Hartford, S.D.), Iris Osei-Tutu (Fr., D, London, England), and Autumn Rabe (Sr. MF/F, Kewaskum, Wis.) each added shots. Osei-Tutu added her first career assist on Warren's strike.
Bemidji State finished with seven shots, four on frame. Madisen Fritel paced the Beavers with three shots, two on frame. Molly Burkstrand had two shots, including the goal.
In goal, Phoenix DeBrusk (So., GK, Thunder Bay, Ontario) allowed one goal, and made three saves. Payton Kropp with one goal allowed, and three saves for Bemidji State.
The Beavers struck early in the 12th minute as Fritel won a contested ball on the wing, and crossed it into Burkstrand for the Bemidji State goal to give the Beavers a 1-0 lead. The two squad were contesting back-and-forth until the goal for BSU.
Both teams had opportunities, and created possibilities throughout the rest of the first half, with neither team delivering a shot on goal.
Fritel opened the second half with a chance in the 49th minute, stopped by DeBrusk. The Golden Eagles countered in the 54th minute with a shot on goal from VanOverbeke, stymied by Kropp.
Minnesota Crookston broke through as Osei-Tutu delivered a seeking pass to Warren, who delivered a beautiful ball into the upper corner of the net to knot the score 1-1.
The Golden Eagles searched for chances later, with Osei-Tutu's opportunity stopped by Kropp. In the 82nd minute, Burnes had a chance stopped by Kropp, keeping the game 1-1.
Fritel had an opportunity in the 83rd minute, saved by DeBrusk. The final chance came on a great ball through to Burkstrand, but DeBrusk delivered a game-clinching save to keep the game 1-1 as the final seconds ticked off the clock.
Minnesota Crookston heads to Minnesota Duluth for the split weekend for a 1 p.m., meeting Sunday, October 11 in Duluth, Minn.
