Box Score

MARSHALL, MINN.: The Southwest Minnesota State soccer team defeated Bemidji State 1-0 in the NSIC opener on Saturday at the Regional Event Center in Marshall.  The win improves the Mustangs to 1-4 overall and 1-0 in the NSIC, while Bemidji State drops to 6-1 overall and 0-1 in the NSIC.

It was a day of firsts for the Mustangs, as first-year head coach Amy Olson won her first game at Southwest.  It was also the first-ever win for SMSU at the new Regional Event Center.

Kendra Olchefske was tremendous in the net for the Mustangs, making nine saves for her first career shutout, including two saves in the final two minutes of the game.

The Mustangs got on the board at 39:14 when Tatum Borstad's free kick from the left front side of the south goal found Kelly Fitzgerald, who headed the ball into the net.

BSU had appeared to tie the game just six minutes into the second half, but the Beavers were called offsides to nullify a goal.

Southwest kept control of the ball for much of the second half, but Bemidji made a run in the final minutes.  Olchefske made a save with 1:58 remaining.  The Beavers got two more chances moments later as Olchefske made a save on a breakaway with 1:06 left and a Southwest teammate blocked another shot just seconds later to stop the run.

SMSU tied a season-high with 11 shot attempts, including seven on goal, the most it has had this season.  Jena Tiemeyer led the Mustangs with three shots on goal.

Southwest is back at home on Sunday when it hosts Minnesota Duluth at 1 p.m. at the Regional Event Center.