MANKATO, Minn. — No. 2 Minnesota State (17-1-3, 12-1-2) defeated Bemidji St. (10-5-6, 7-3-5) 1-0 on Sunday in the NSIC Championship game after
Ruthie Gyasi scored a header from
Meghan Sullivan in the 84th minute. After a scoreless first half, Minnesota State generated 14 of its 19 shots in the second half and held Bemidji St. to three shots after halftime. Minnesota State put seven shots on goal and made three saves to finish the shutout and clinch the conference postseason title.
This marks the third straight season that the Mavericks have won the NSIC postseason tournament and the 12th in program history. They have won every championship game that they have appeared in, officially holding an 11-0-1 record in NSIC championship games. It is their 10th title since head coach
Brian Bahl took over in 2013.
Gyasi scored the game-winning goal and led Minnesota State with six shots, including two on goal. It was Gyasi's first game-winning goal of the season and her second goal of the tournament.
Lauren McAlpine played all 90 minutes in goal, made three saves and recorded a shutout.
Meghan Sullivan tallied an assist on a corner kick and added one shot.
Addie Dobratz finished with four shots.
Bemidji St. created the first chances of the first half, with Megan Ko shooting wide at :23 and
Lauren McAlpine saving Madisen Fritel's attempt at 5:22 before Molly Burkstrand hit the top woodwork at 14:45. MSU eventually settled into its own attacking chances. The Mavericks answered with a corner in the 11th minute and shots from
Elan Litt and
Maddix Archer, then put three attempts on frame from Gyasi,
Reese Hilsenbeck and
Anna Stromberg that Payton Kropp saved. Bemidji St. pushed again late, including a 41:37 shot by Maya Johnson that McAlpine saved as the half concluded with the teams deadlocked at 0.
After Bemidji St. earned an early corner, Minnesota State created a run of pressure with corners at 52:30 and 53:11 and shots from Gyasi,
Reese Hilsenbeck, Dobratz and
Mila Rustin, including Hilsenbeck's saved attempt at 54:08. Bemidji St. came back with chances from Dayna Stocke and Haylee Gallas, with McAlpine saving Gallas' shot at 62:18. Minnesota State kept pressing through the middle of the half, including Sullivan's shot, Dobratz's attempt off the top woodwork and saved efforts from
Alicia Hoffman and
Megan Grater. The Mavericks would earn a corner kick and Sullivan's kick carried over Beaver defenders and Gyasi was able to head the ball into the net, giving the Mavericks a late lead and sending The Pitch into a frenzy. The Beavers would push hard after the goal putting on all the pressure they could on the MSU defense. They would take multiple shots and control possession, but they were unable to generate a shot on target. MSU would clear the ball into the Beavers side of the field as the clock ran out and the Mavericks celebrated the dramatic win.
Eight Mavericks were named to the all tournament team including
Amara Smith who scored three goals in the tournament, Archer, Hilsenbeck, Sullivan,
Maclayne Menzel,
Savanna Stockness, McAlpine, and the tournament MVP Gyasi who scored twice in MSU's three games.
With the win Minnesota State has clinched a berth to the Central Region Tournament and they will await tomorrows selection show to determine their opponent and where they will play.
