ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Golden Bear soccer team (5-2-1, 3-2-1 NSIC) lost 3-0 to the Bemidji State Beavers (8-0, 6-0 NSIC) on Friday night at Sea Foam Stadium. With the loss, the Bears had to hand over the coveted shining pig trophy, which they were able to keep for the past three years.
 
In their last three matchups, the Bears came out on top 1-0 each time. Jordan Rowan-Stafford had the game-winner in last year's game with an assist from Mary Kaiser in the 17^th minute. This year, it was Bemidji got on the board first in the 36^th minute and went on to score twice more before the game was over.
 
The first half started with lots of back and forth action, with only two shots being taken in the first 25 minutes. Junior Rachael Norton opened up the scoring for the Beavers in the 36^th minute with a shot to the bottom left of the net from outside the box. This was her seventh goal of the season so far. Norton would also get the assist on the next goal that was scored a little over three minutes later by Melanie Peltier. Peltier's goal hit the crossbar and bounced in the net to help the Beavers to a 2-0 lead at halftime.
 
The Bears' offense also had a couple of good chances in the first half. In the start of the first half, freshman Cayla Renwick and sophomore Leah Johnson made some nice crosses but their teammates were unable to get a touch on it. With a little over nine minutes left in the half, Rowan-Stafford dribbled her way around the box and took a shot that hit the post. Unfortunately, it was kicked out by a Bemidji defender before CSP could get the rebound.
 
The Golden Bears held much of the possession in the second half, and outshot the Beavers 8-2 in the half. CSP had many chances throughout the second half, especially in the last twenty minutes of play. Sophomore Carly Simonian sparked some offense with a couple crosses that created some opportunities. With about 18 minutes left, one of Simonian's passes found teammate Hannah Pederson but the goalie nabbed it before it could find the back of the net. Melissa Bear also received a pass from Simonian and took an open shot on net, but it went wide.
 
The Beavers were able to score their third goal of the night in the 55^th minute on a through pass from Norton that found teammate Allyson Smith who finished the play for her third goal of the season.
 
The Bears ended up with the shot advantage in the game (10-9). Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Nelson made three saves on the night, but took the loss to drop to 2-2 on the year.

Concordia has another homecoming game this weekend when they take on Minnesota Crookston on Sunday. Game time is set for 1 p.m. Come out for all the homecoming fun or follow online at cspbears.com/watch.