That was the final blow, ending the season for the Minot State women’s soccer team in frigid heartache.

Undefeated No. 2-seed Bemidji State (18-0-2) survived the snow flurries and arctic temperatures on its home turf at Chet Anderson Stadium to eliminate No. 7-seeded Minot State (13-6-3) in the first round of the Division II NCAA Tournament, 3-1, Friday afternoon in Bemidji, Minnesota.

“Well, I’m sad for a lot of these girls,” MSU head coach Jason Spain said. “I thought we battled and could have won that game. Crossbar and a bunch of chances there. We just let them get away.”

Bemidji State dominated possession in the first 10 minutes. But, it was MSU sophomore midfielder Melanie van Walstijn who provided the first real scoring threat on a strike from distance that pinged off the crossbar.

Alex Eisen/MDN The Minot State women's soccer team celebrates after Jordyn Cook (second from the right) scores the Beavers only goal Friday in a 3-1 defeat to Bemidji State.

Flipping the field in a hurry, Bemidji State scored the opening goal moments later in the 11th minute. NSIC Offensive Player of the Year, BSU senior Rachael Norton, beat her defender out on the wing with skill and speed to get one-on-one with MSU goaltender Erin Rafferty.

Rafferty stood her ground and made a diving save. One save, however, wasn’t enough. Smith had crashed the net and was able to clean up the rebound to put Bemidji State in the lead.

“It doesn’t usually bother us, but I don’t know with today feeling like it’s negative two (degrees) outside,” senior forward Haley Berryman said about Bemidji State scoring first. “When it first happened, I think everyone was more shocked than anything because I think we thought they weren’t going to get that first one.”

Bemidji State went into halftime with the 1-0 advantage. But, Minot State was slowly starting to warm up.

Junior center striker Cinthya Samaniego was controlling the ball up top to allow Minot State’s offense to push forward. Berryman had turned on her bulldozer mentality. And sophomore Sofia Lewis, despite only touching the ball maybe twice in the first 15 minutes, began to find open space to maneuver.

MSU midfielders Ashley Hunter, Gabrielle Kwiatek and van Walstijn got used to the ball skipping across the frozen turf to connect passes up the field.

Things were looking up. Shots on target in the first half were even at seven apiece.

“First half we were kind of on our heels,” Spain said. “I thought we played well in the second half, but we still lost by a goal in both halves. It is what it is.”

Nine minutes into the second half, a Minot State defensive breakdown led to pandemonium in the box. With bodies flying everywhere, MSU was able to prevent Bemidji State from scoring with a hand ball.

A penalty kick was awarded, but no card. BSU’s Dani Nelson put the pressure on her shoulders and stepped up to the spot. Rafferty didn’t move, and Nelson pulled the shot wide left.

MSU had been given a lifeline. Norton ripped it away a minute later.

Showcasing why she scored the most goals in the NSIC this season, Norton sliced through MSU’s defense and powered in her 20th goal of the season. Rafferty got her hands on it but didn’t push the ball out wide enough. It hit the post and trickled in.

Minot State now trailed, 2-0, with 35 minutes remaining. It was time to push numbers forward at all costs. But, doing so against the unpleasant weather conditions seemed impractical.

“It’s so awful,” Berryman said about the weather. “It’s like you get used to it because your body gets numb. But, when you go off or for halftime, your body warms up again and you have to try and get used to it again.”

Trying to thaw out any hope Minot State had left, the Beavers were awarded a free kick in the 59th minute just outside the 18-yard box.

Lewis, who is known for drilling in free kicks with ease, stood over the ball. She surveyed the situation and started her run up.

Instead of unleashing an attempt at goal, Lewis laid the ball off to sophomore forward Jordyn Cook, who was left unmarked in the middle of the box. Cook seized her opportunity with Bemidji State defenders crashing down on her to try and block the shot.

Cook’s first NCAA Tournament goal sparked an uproar from the Minot State crowd, headlined by the football team in attendance because it’s playing Bemidji State this afternoon.

Less than nine minutes later, Bemidji State drained most of the energy Minot State had left when it successfully worked a set piece off a corner kick to get Smith her second goal.

Unable to recover and score two goals in 22 minutes, Minot State bowed out of the NCAA Tournament. It’s the third time in four national tournament appearances that MSU has been knocked out in the first round.

“The girls worked hard to turn around this season,” Spain said. “We got into the NCAA Tournament, but we got to get here and try to extend. Not just try and get here.”

Bemidji State advances to face No. 3-seeded and defending national champions Central Missouri in the second round on Sunday. Central Missouri topped Augustana, 3-1, in the first round.

Alex Eisen covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.