BEMIDJI, Minn. - The Golden Bears soccer team (2-4-3, 2-1-3 NSIC) knocked off a very good Bemidji State team (7-3, 5-2 NSIC) by a score of 1-0 on the road, Sunday afternoon. This rivalry game is considered the Pig Game as the two teams played for a pig trophy. Concordia has now won the pig trophy the past three seasons.

"It was a fantastic team performance against a very strong and well coached team. We rode our luck today and hope to build on this win." Head coach Steve Bellis said following the win.

Coming into Sunday's matchup, Bemidji State was receiving votes for the Division II national rankings and won four of their last five games, but that did not phase Concordia. Both teams came out on the offensive attack as they combined for 21 shots (11 CSP, 10 BSU) attempted in the first half of play.
 
With all the attempted shots, it would be the Golden Bears who would strike first in the 17th minute of the first half when sophomore forward Jordan Rowan-Stafford found the back of the net for her second goal of the season off assists from Mary Kaiser and Chelsie Lindsay. CSP would hold that 1-0 lead heading into the intermission.

In the second half, the Concordia defense would face a great deal of pressure as the Beavers would outshoot CSP 13-0 in the final 45 minutes of play. Leading the defensive attack was sophomore goalkeeper Emily Nelson who made a career-high 11 saves on the afternoon.

Bemidji State had a chance to tie the game at the 60th minute when Miranda Famestad would attempt a free kick from about 30 yards out that would hit the crossbar. The ball would rebound to Bemidji's Emily Kos who would attempt a second shot, but it would be Nelson who made a big save to help CSP maintain the lead.
 
Nelson would make some big saves in the second half, but no save was bigger than the save made with under a minute remaining in regulation. The Beavers would attempt a shot at point blank range but Nelson would again make the save, allowing the Golden Bears escape with the victory.
 
Rowan-Stafford and Jade Weller would lead the Golden Bears with three shots on the afternoon. Kaiser, Lindsay, Katri Gifford, Carly Simonian and Hannah Pavek would each attempt one shot on the game.
 
Bemidji State was led by Sarah Stram who attempted a game-high seven shots, four of which were on goal. Rachel Norton added three shots, while Christine Szurek, Annika Kussow, Miranda Famestad and Dani Nelson all attempted a pair of shots for the game.
 
Anna Fobbe took the loss in net for BSU as she made four saves on CSP's five shots on goal.
 
CSP moves to 8-10-2 all-time against the Beavers and have won the last three meetings against BSU all by a score of 1-0.
 
The Golden Bears return home on Friday, October 7th for a 7 p.m. matchup against Augustana.