(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Women's Soccer team opened the home portion of the 2009 season today with a non-conference match against Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) foe Bemidji State University. The Beavers opened up a 2-0 halftime lead and added three second half goals on their way to a 5-1 victory on a rainy, windy day in Crookston, Minn.

Bemidji State University opened the scoring at 24:18 when Kirsten Erickson scored off an assist from Ashlee Ellefsen. The Beavers made the score 2-0 when Ellefsen found the back of the Golden Eagles net off an assist from Erickson at 30:27.

Bemidji State University continued its offensive success at 61:36 when Brianna Duff scored off an assist from Yesenia Garcia. Garcia got into the goal column at 72:45 off assists from Ellefsen and Erickson. Kelly Pointon closed out the scoring for the Beavers at 76:55 when she scored off Erickson's third assist of the game.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston got on the board at 78:45 of the game when Justine Jones (Sr, Fwd, Richland, Wash.) scored off a penalty kick to make the final score 5-1 in favor of Bemidji State University.

Samantha Ross recorded three saves for the Beavers while Abby Kjonaas recorded five.

Anna Ogaard (Jr, GK, Maple Grove, Minn.) stopped 11 shots for U of M, Crookston while Carmen Sanchez (Fr, GK, Naples, Fla.) recorded two saves in her first collegiate appearance.

Bemidji State University improves to 3-1-0 on the season while the Golden Eagles fall to 1-2-1.

U of M, Crookston returns to action with a pair of non-conference matches on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13 when they travel to Bismarck, N.D. to face the University of Great Falls (Mont.) and Montana State University - Billings at 2 p.m. and 11 a.m. respectively.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics Web site at http://www.goldeneaglesports.com/.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

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