The Minot State University women’s soccer team scored a pair of first-half goals and closed out the regular season with a 2-1 victory over rival U-Mary on Thursday, Nov. 6, at Herb Parker Stadium.

The Beavers finished the regular season with three consecutive wins and were unbeaten over their final eight matches. Minot State hasn’t dropped a match since a 2-1 loss to Augustana on Oct. 10.

Brittney Egbert netted the game’s first goal in the 21st minute on one of two assists from Sabrina Amezcua on the day. Egbert’s goal came 40 seconds after a corner kick attempt.

Minot State’s second goal came six minutes later, once again moments after receiving a corner kick. Amezcua recorded her sixth assist of the season, setting up Emerie Campbell’s third goal of the year to give the Beavers a 2-0 lead.

Amezcua and Anna Miotto finished the season as the team’s leading scorers, registering 24 points on nine goals and six assists each.

The Marauders (8-6-4 overall, 6-5-4 NSIC) trimmed the lead in half in the 33rd minute when Olivia Gardner beat MSU goalkeeper Rebecca Sargent. U-Mary held a 10-4 advantage in shots on goal, but could only muster one attempt past Sargent, who finished with nine saves.

Minot State’s victory locked up the No. 4 seed and a home playoff match in the opening round of the NSIC Tournament. The Beavers will play No. 5 seed Concordia-St. Paul on Monday, Nov. 10, at Herb Parker Stadium at 5 p.m. Minot State (9-5-4, 9-2-4) split a pair of 1-0 decisions to the Golden Bears this season. C-SP won a non-conference match on Sept. 7, and the Beavers came out on top in the NSIC contest on Sept. 26.

The semifinal and championship rounds will be hosted at the campus of the highest remaining seed.

Minnesota State claimed the NSIC regular season title and No. 1 seed with 40 points, four points clear of both Bemidji State and St. Cloud State. Augustana, Northern State and U-Mary round out the eight-team field.

Last season, Minot State advanced to the NSIC Tournament championship match, losing 2-0 to Minnesota State.