MINOT, N.D.- The Minot State University Beavers soccer team (9-4-2, 8-2-2 NSIC) will look to get back in the win column this weekend. They play in a home-and-home weekend with the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles (1-13, 1-10 NSIC) and the Bemidji State Beavers (13-0-2, 10-0-2 NSIC). They first take on the Golden Eagles Friday Oct. 29^th in Crookston, Minn. with kickoff set for 3 p.m. They will then travel back to Minot for senior day to have a spooky Halloween showdown with the top-10 ranked Beavers in a classic "Battle of the Beavers" slated for noon. 
 
 Last time out: The Beavers had themselves quite the challenging weekend at home last weekend. They opened the weekend with a 3-0 loss to top-25 ranked Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks. The Beavers struggled offensively in the first half only managing three shots total. MSU turned up the heat in the second half, outshooting Mankato 9-5 in the second half. Maddie Kindred backstopped the Beavers with seven saves. Sofia Lewis paced the Beaver offense creating five total shots with four of them reaching the net, as other teams have targeted her in their defensive efforts double and triple teaming her.
 
The Beavers concluded the weekend with a defensive battle against the Concordia St. Paul Golden Bears, leading to a 0-0 stalemate. The Bears outshot the Beavers 11-10, but the Beavers secured more shots on net with a 6-4 edge. Kindred made four saves in net for MSU. The Golden Bears kept the Mavericks defensive scheme in play as Lewis was again double and triple teamed for most of the match. That didn't stop her from again leading the Beavers in shooting, creating four shots. Lewis tied fellow senior Mel van Walstijn with two shots on goal. Thanks to her efforts in net, Kindred earned an honorable mention for goalkeeper of the week in the NSIC. 
 
The first official NCAA central region rankings have been released, and unfortunately the Beavers haven't made the cut in the top 10. With big matches against Bemidji State this weekend and Mary next weekend, as well as the NSIC tournament, that very easily could change. Highlighting the NSIC are Bemidji State at 3^rd, Mankato at 4^th, and Augustana at 8^th. Northern State came in at 9^th (who MSU defeated earlier this year), but since the cut off to advance to the NCAA tournament is only eight teams, they would be left out if the playoffs were tomorrow. 
 
Top Performer: Redshirt freshman Jordan Tenpas played some incredible defense last weekend for the Beavers, and has been a staple for MSU on defense this year. She played every minute of both games last weekend. 
 
Facing the Golden Eagles: Minot State is on a one game losing streak against UMC. Their last matchup was a 3-2 loss in Crookston back on November 5^th, 2019. However, they lead the total series 6-3-1. 
 
Scouting Minnesota Crookston: The Golden Eagles are on a current 10-game losing streak, with their last win coming back on Sept. 17^th with a 1-0 final over Minnesota State Moorhead Dragons. Their most recent weekend games were a 2-0 loss and 4-1 loss to the Sioux Falls Cougars and Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs both game at home. 
UMC has scored only four goals on the season, while allowing 56 goals into their net. Junior Morgan LaPlanteleads the Golden Eagles with two goals on the season. The Eagles have been for the most part backstopped in goalie by sophomore Abby Olsen who has allowed 44 goals while making 113 saves in net. 
 
Facing the Beavers: The "Battle of the Beavers" has been in favor of the wrong Beaver. MSU is on a current 5-game losing streak to BSU and are behind 6-9 in the overall series. MSU's last win over BSU came back on Sept. 25^th, 2016, 1-0. 
 
Scouting Bemidji State: The Beavers are currently ranked 6^th in the nation, cracking the top 10 for the first time all season after sitting at 11^th for multiple weeks. They defeated division one opponent the University of North Dakota early in the season 2-0. They're coming off a weekend sweep of Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls by scores of 4-0 and 2-0. 
 
The Beavers have only allowed opponents 11 goals on the season while recording seven shutouts. The Beavers have scored 36 goals on 276 shots. BSU is paced by senior Sara Wendt who currently has 15 goals on the season. The next closest goal scorers are senior Allyson Smith and freshman Mason Schilling who have four goals apiece. Smith is the current leader for the Beavers in shots with 72 total shots, while 37 have reached the net. The Beavers have relied on junior Alyssa Stumbaugh to backstop the net. Stumbaugh has made 38 saves in net while only allowing seven goals, and currently owns an 11-0-1 record for this season. 
 
Looking Ahead: The regular season is ending, and with that comes…RIVALRY. Following this weekend, the Beavers will host the team down south in the University of Mary Marauders (8-4-3, 7-3-2 NSIC). UMary comes to town to wrap up the regular season Friday Nov. 5^th with a kickoff set for 5 p.m.