Box Score MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State University soccer team is now just one of two NSIC teams to remain undefeated in conference play after winning its second game 2-1 against Wayne State.
 
The Beavers couldn't find a way to score in the first half as they were playing against the wind, but a change in head coach Jason Spain's strategy going into the second half led to both of the team's goals.
 
Ninfa Ramirez scored her fifth and sixth goals of the season with assists coming from Ashley Franco and Ashley Hunter.
 
"The first goal I scored we actually talked about at halftime," Ramirez said. "Jason wanted me to check away from the defense and check into that space. Ashley [Franco] played the through ball to the side and it was just one touch and it was in.
 
"The second goal was pretty much the same thing. What we talked about at halftime worked and got us two goals."
 
Franco's assist is the fifth of her career and puts her in a tie for the fifth most career assists in MSU history.
 
"She was running across and I heard her calling for the ball and it is exactly what we've done at practice," Franco said. "Just run our patterns and Ninja's going to be there."
 
Spain complimented his team's defensive and offensive play and was happy with a win in a game he thought might be a tough win with the wind factor.
 
"We're trying to play balls wide and they kept running it out of bounds on us," Spain said. "I think [the wind] definitely helped them get in our end in the first half. It was tough, but our team is built to play with or without any wind. We try to keep the ball on the ground."
 
With the new points system implemented by the conference this season the Beavers are tied at second with three other teams who have six points. Bemidji State leads the NSIC with nine points and are the only other team without a loss in conference play.
 
Minot State will attempt to remain undefeated and move to the top of the standings next week with a game at Minnesota Crookston on Thursday, September 22 and a home game against Bemidji State on Sunday, September 25. The games are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
 
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.