The Peacocks (9-5-1, 9-3-1 NSIC) suffered their first loss in 10 games when they fell, 2-1, to Bemidji State (9-6-1, 8-4-1 NSIC). The loss gives BSU the all-time series lead against Upper Iowa, with the Beavers having won six games to the Peacocks five victories.
"Credit to Bemidji State," said Head Coach
Brian Diaz. "They are a very good team and played very well today."
The Beavers jumped out to a 2-1 lead just 15 minutes into the game. Bemidji State sophomore forward Bayley Ertl sandwiched a pair of goals around a
Trina Gallagher goal for the Peacocks. Gallagher's score came on a corner kick from senior midfielder
Corinne Wronski.
"We played well at the beginning of the game," said Diaz. "We responded well to their first goal and got one right back, but they broke us down defensively like no one else has."
After one half, the Peacocks trailed 2-1. Both teams had five shots on goal and both teams had hit the cross bar in an offense-heavy half of soccer.
The second half began with more offensive fireworks. Just three minutes into the second period, the Beavers pushed their lead to two. UIU was called for a foul in their penalty box and sophomore forward Sarah Stram scored to put the Beavers up 3-1.
The Peacocks once again responded quickly. UIU worked the ball up the field with
Aimee Wronski and
Madie Edwards, leading to Edwards tapping the ball into the open net, drawing the Peacocks to within one. But that is as close as Upper Iowa would get.
"We're disappointed," said Diaz. "We knew BSU was good, but we wanted to get three points. They exploited us in many ways that others haven't, so we'll learn from this and start a new streak."
UIU outshot the Beavers 20-12, with both teams putting eight shots on goal. Aimee Wronski led Upper Iowa with six shots, with
Danielle Weiss had three.
Kaitlyn Emanuel made five saves on the day in net for the Peacocks.
The Peacocks will host Minnesota State Mankato next Friday at 1 p.m., before traveling to St. Paul, Minnesota, to play the Golden Bears of Concordia-St. Paul next Sunday.
