Box Score MINOT, N.D. – It was a cold night to play soccer at Herb Parker Stadium, but the Beavers came warmed up and ready to go.

The Minot State University soccer team defended their home turf Wednesday night with a thrilling 2-1 victory over the University of Mary Marauders in the quarterfinals of the 2012 NSIC/U.S. Bank Soccer Tournament.

MISU jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when sophomore Zoe Fisher (CM, Cambridgeshire, England ) collected her own rebound close to the net to score her tenth goal on the season in the sixth minute of play.

“It was all started with the team, great work when we managed to get a corner,” said Fisher. “Our girls battled and battled to get the ball back in the box. Then it came to me and I kept rebounding it off the keeper. I just kept trying to get it to the back on the net, which I did.”

With an early lead, MISU didn't take the pedal off that gas as they stayed aggressive on the attack. That aggressive played paid off in the 21^st minute when Forward Tara McPartland (Sr., Sandy, Utah) scored on a wonderfully placed corner kick from Fisher. For McPartland, it was her fourth goal of the season and her fourth goal in the last four games.

With a 2-0 lead midway through the first half, the Beavers decided to change up their game plan and take some of the aggressiveness off and focus more on the defensive side of the game.  

“We originally wanted to be aggressive and do some extra runs with our midfield,” said Beaver head coach Jason Spain. “Once we get that 2-0 lead, we aren't going to do that as much. We are going to hold and make them really out work us. I thought our back line did a great job in the second half.”

The intensity of play picked up in the second half, as each team knew their season was on the line. Mary's physical style of play led to some success as Alex Bachman-Williams found the net in the 61^st minute for the Marauders.

“When both teams are throwing balls into the box, there is going to be a lot of flight ball challenges,” said Spain. “Both teams were going hard and I knew it would be that way. Mary is a good team and it says a lot about our team that we could beat them tonight.”

With the win, MISU will advance to the NSIC/U.S. Bank semifinals where they will face the top ranked team in the conference, Minnesota State University. The Mavericks defeated Minot State 2-0 on Sept. 30 at Herb Parker Stadium.

“They (Minnesota State) are going to bring a really good game, they always do,” said Fisher. “We played them earlier in the season and coach has got some great ideas for them and hopefully we can get the win there.”

The Beavers and Mavericks will have their rematch on Friday Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. in Mankato, Minn.