BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Concordia-St. Paul soccer team (3-5, 2-3 NSIC) used a goal from Taryn MacMillan late in the first half to grab a 1-0 win at Bemidji State (5-3, 2-3 NSIC) on Sunday afternoon.
 
The Golden Bears defense stepped up in a big way as they held the Beavers off the board for their second shutout in the past three games. The Golden Bears were out-shot 14-11 (7-5 on shots on goal) but were able to limit the number of scoring chances for BSU in an impressive performance.
 
At the center of the defensive effort was senior keeper Emma Gartner. Gartner wrapped up her second win of the year with her second shutout as she finished with seven saves, including a few great saves, in the victory.
 
In the offensive third, Taryn MacMillan continued to impress since her move back to midfield as she netted her second game-winning goal in the last three games. Freshman Jade Weller chipped in her third assist of her young career while Jessica Bianchi added her second assist, putting her in a tie for the team lead with six points on the year.
 
Chelsie Lindsay matched MacMillan's team-high two shots (one on goal) while McKenzie Buck, Colette Piche and Katri Gifford all added shots on goal as well.
 
Rachael Norton, Sarah Stram and Dani Nelson paced the Beavers with three shots and two shots on goal apiece.
 
Anna Fobbe took the loss in net for BSU as she made four saves on CSP's five shots on goal.
 
After Gartner turned away a shot in the 10^th minute, the Golden Bears took control for a long stretch in the first half. CSP put up a flurry of shots and chances before MacMillan broke through in the 40^th minute as she took a pass off a cross right out front and buried it into the back of the net. Concordia kept up the pressure over the final five minutes before settling with a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
 
The Golden Bears dominated shots in the opening half with seven (four on goal) compared to two (one on goal) for the Beavers, but that shifted in the second half as Bemidji State tried to even the score.
 
After an early push after the half by Concordia, the Beavers made Emma Gartner work in the final 45 minutes as they fired shots in bunches in her direction but she held her ground and kept CSP in the lead. Bemidji State kept up the pressure until the final whistle but they were unable to solve the stout Golden Bear defense as CSP closed out the 1-0 win.
 
CSP remains on the road next weekend as they travel to Northern State on Saturday at 1 p.m. and MSU Moorhead on Sunday at 1 p.m.