TOPEKA, Kan. (September 3, 2015) – The Minot State University soccer team (1-0, 0-0 NSIC) came out on top with a 2-1 victory over Washburn University (0-1) in the first game of the season with a strong defensive performance.

The Beavers defense only allowed three shots the entire night with two free kicks and a corner kick that provided the lone score for the Ichabods.

Head coach Jason Spain was pleased with his team's performance even though the opposition made it hard to get into a comfortable groove.

"It was rough," Spain said. "The other team committed 24 fouls so it was hard to get into any rhythm but we kept at it and kept trying to keep the ball in our possession."

Washburn kept the fouls to a minimum towards the end of the game and Spain said his team was able to regain a flow.

The first goal of the season came from junior Ninfa Ramirez on a breakaway shot. The Perris, Calif. native played for the first time in an MSU jersey as she redshirted last year after two All-American campaigns for San Diego Miramar College.

"She can dribble, she's fast, strong, tackles hard, she's a full package," Spain said about Ramirez.

With 13 shots on goal and 18 shots total the Beavers' offense matched the tenacity of the defense.

Freshman Andrea Franco was second on the team, behind Ramirez, with all three of her shots on goal. Just behind Franco was Emilie Rebelo who scored the second goal of the night at the 44 minute mark.

That goal marks Rebelo's 13th goal at Minot State moving her into the sole ownership of third most all time. She is one goal away from tying for the second most goals with former player Jamie Council.

Other players that stood out in the season opener were defenders Kelli Creese and Haley Lolmaugh. The sophomore, Creese, sat out the majority of 2014 after starting the first two games and suffering a season-ending injury. Lolmaugh, a senior, started in all 19 matches last season.

"Kelly played really well coming off the injury," Spain said. "Haley kept their center striker from getting the ball the whole game."

Overall Spain said he was proud of the way his team played after not being able to compete in the two exhibition matches that were scheduled before the regular season.

Minot State will play their second match of the year on September 6 at 11 a.m. at Fort Hays State.

About Minot State
Minot State University is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and NCAA Division II offering 14 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletics programs. The NSIC is a premier NCAA DII, 16-member conference featuring teams in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. The Beavers are the only public NCAA Division II institution in the state of North Dakota.