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Beavers weekend breakdown

It was an action-packed weekend for the Minot State athletic programs, with cross country, women’s soccer, volleyball, and football hitting the field. With the busy schedule came a variety of accomplishments as the programs aim to improve on a weekly basis.

Volleyball

Entering play on Friday night, the Beavers volleyball team (0-12 overall, 0-5 NSIC) were searching for their first win of the season. They played host to Winona State (5-7 overall, 1-4 NSIC), who were able to spoil the Beavers hopes, beating MSU in three sets (25-8, 25-20, 25-14).

Leading the way in kills for the Beavers was Emily Kotelnikoff (9), Hailey Wathen (5), and Kylie Koontz (3). Paige Ammerman (1) and Sedova Viktoria (1) led the way in aces. Jaina Macaulay (13), Lucia Mercolini (8), and Koontz (1) chipped in with assists. Tea Boeckel (14), Wathen (6), and Ammerman (3) took the top spots in digs.

On Saturday, the Beavers (0-13 overall, 0-6 NSIC) were back in action as they hosted Upper Iowa (0-13 overall, 0-6 NSIC) at the MSU Dome. With the Beavers still aiming to get their first win, the team put up a good fight, but ultimately came up short as Upper Iowa won in three sets (25-21, 25-13, 25-13).

Taylor Wyatt (7), Hailey Wathen (6), and Alexandra Koontz (4) led the way in Kills for the Beavers. Tea Boeckel (2) and Lucia Mercolini (1) paved the way in aces. Mercolini (1), Jaina Macaulay (4), and Boeckel (2) were the leaders in assists. Wathen (9), Mercolini (9), and Boeckel (8) finshed at the top in digs.

The Beavers will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 30 when they head to Minnesota State University – Mankato to take on the Mavericks. The match is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Women’s soccer

Also facing Winona State this weekend was the women’s soccer team, who faced off with them on Friday. MSU (2-2-4 overall, 2-1-2 NSIC) and Winona State (4-2-2 overall, 2-1-2 NSIC) have faced each other a lot in recent years, with the Beavers owning a 6-3-1 record over the last 10 contests.

An early goal by Sarah Upton would give the Beavers a 1-0 lead on her first goal of the season. However, Winona State would come fighting back when Riley Harmon scored a goal in the 51st minute to bring the game to its final in a 1-1 tie.

The Beavers ended the game with 13 shots and six of them being on goal. Goalkeeper Maddie Kindred made four saves.

Following the tie on Friday, the MSU women’s soccer team (3-2-4 overall, 3-1-2 NSIC) hit the field again on Sunday, where they took on Upper Iowa (2-4-3 overall, 1-2-3 NSIC). Ending the weekend on a positive note was the Beavers, who secured a 1-0 win for their first road victory of the season.

Chloe Allan scored the lone goal of the contest within the first ten minutes on a penalty kick. The Beavers defense showed out strong in the first half, only allowing the Peacocks to get off one shot before the break.

Continuing a strong showing into the second half was the Beavers defense, as the Peacocks were only able to muster together two more shots in the half, with the Beavers out shooting them 15-3 on the day.

Goalkeeper Maddie Kindred rose to the occasion once again, as she secured her fourth shutout of the season, not long after being name Goalkeeper of the Week.

Following the exciting weekend of action, the Beavers will hit the road again as they take on Northern State University at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30.

Men’s and women’s cross country

Both teams went to Minnesota to participate in the Roy Griak Invitational on Friday. The men’s team took ninth place out of 29 teams with a score of 253 and the women’s team took 17th place out of 30 teams with a score of 530.

Leading the way for the men’s team was Nicholas Merillana, who finished 15th overall with a time of 25:55.9. The time by Merillana was a career-best finish by more than two minutes.

Jacob Jensen (31st, 26:20.3), Charles Hardcastle (86th, 27:09.2), Grayson Bonilla (111th, 27:27.2), Camden Jasmin (172nd, 28:21.9), Casey McMahon (185th, 28:37.5), Yoni Neyshtadt (205th, 28:51.1), Juan Gutierrez (217th, 29:01.4), Peyton Tuhy (308th, 30:46.5), Cael Lorenz (351st, 32:35.5), and Dylan Weinand (386th, 34:43.1) all rounded out the finishes for the men’s team.

On the women’s side, Emery Smith led the way for the Beavers, finishing 61st with a time of 24:15.5 on the 6K course, just a few places in front of Nicole Reeves finished 64th with a score of 24:17.8.

Paulette Dominguez (95th, 24:49.3), Sidra Sadowsky (220th, 26:22.1) and Monica Okopal (327th, 28:43.4) filled out the rest of the finishes for the women’s team.

Following Friday’s action, the Beavers will participate in the Jamestown Jimmie Invitational on Friday, Oct. 7.

Football

The Minot State football team (0-4 overall, 0-4 NSIC) had a road game on Saturday, as they took on Southwest Minnesota State (3-1 overall, 3-1 NSIC) in what ended up being a thrilling finish. Despite a late comeback effort coming up short, the Beavers showed fight, as they fell to Southwest Minnesota State in overtime, 27-20.

Finding themselves down 14-3 at the break, it would’ve been easy for the Beavers to give up, however, that wasn’t in their DNA on Saturday. Running back Ali Mohamed got the Beavers their first touchdown of the day and his first of the season, when he took one in from 6-yards out, cutting Southwest Minnesota’s lead to 14-10 with 5:25 left in the third quarter.

Two fourth quarter field goals by Southwest Minnesota would extend their lead to 20-10 with 5:11 to go in the contest, as time seemed to be running out for the Beavers. However, they would not lay down in the fight.

Quarterback Dawson Macleary would connect with Nathan Young on a 10-yard touchdown pass to make it a 20-17 game with 1:52 left as the Beavers had life. The TD drive was good for eight plays and 71 yards.

After getting the ball back with one last chance, Dillon Fedor would drill a 29-yard field goal to tie the game with 6-seconds left. As improbable as it seemed, this game was heading for overtime.

Unfortunately, Southwest Minnesota State would capitalize on the extra time, scoring a touchdown on the first drive which would seal the 27-20 win.

Beavers’ quarterback Dawson Maclearly completed 18-32 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on the day. Ali Mohamed was the leading rusher, netting 78 yards and a touchdown on 20 attempts.

Nathan Young hauled in five receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown, while Erik Palmquist reeled in seven receptions for 51 yards to lead the way for the Beavers.

Defensively, the Beavers were led by Carson Cayko, who led the team with 9 tackles and had an interception.

The Beavers will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 1 when they welcome Bemidji State University to First Western Bank Field at Herb Parker Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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