Box Score MINOT, N.D. – After two tight matches including a 0-0 overtime draw, Minot State University soccer was ready for a little breathing room.

The Beavers got that by virtue of two first half goals.

MISU's Jamie Council (Jr., F, Atascadero, Calif.) and Emilie Rebelo (So., F, Sacramento, Calif.) each scored in the first half to propel the Beavers to a 2-0 win over the University of Sioux Falls to celebrate Homecoming 2012 Saturday at Herb Parker Stadium.

“We couldn't ask for more intensity in a conference match,” said MISU head coach Jason Spain. “We outshot them 24-1 in the first half and scored twice in the first. Overall, we just melted the clock in the second half.”

The match featured two newcomers to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Minot State improved to 3-1-1 overall and 1-1 in the NSIC, while USF dropped to 0-5-0, 0-2-0.

Council got the Beavers on the board in the midst of the 24-shot first half just when it looked like Minot State might be generating shots, but not goals. She headed in a perfect corner by Zoe Fisher (So., CM, Cambridgeshire, England) in the 24th minute. Council finished with six shots and two shots on goal, netting her second of the season and 11th in her Beavers' career – second only to Fisher all-time.

“I thought our midfield did a great job of pinning USF back all day,” Spain said. “We played aggressive and that is what we want to do.”

Rebelo earned her first goal with MISU on a penalty kick in the 38th minute, making it 2-0.

Minot State didn't allow much the rest of the way, holding USF to just four shots and three shots on goal. MISU goalkeepers Marie Torres (Sr., San Bruno, Calif.) and Ashley Barzcewski (Sr., O'Fallon, Mo.) combined to make three saves.

USF netminder Samantha Maybon was busy all day, finishing with 15 saves in the loss.

The Beavers keep in NSIC play Sunday at they play host to Southwest Minnesota State beginning at 1 p.m.