SIOUX FALLS- The University of Sioux Falls soccer team returned to their home pitch on Friday to face the Bemidji State Beavers in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) action. In what ended up being a tough battle, the Beavers were able to edge out the Cougars 1-0 at the USF Sports Complex, putting the Cougars' record to 1-6-1 overall and 1-3-1 in NSIC matches.

The Cougars were led offensively by a trio of junior Lindsey Power, sophomore Aundria Vargas, and freshman Grace Held, all of whom recorded two shots a piece. Both Power and Vargas got a shot on goal, while Held got a game-high two shots on goal.

The Beavers got their offense going in the opening ten minutes, with Megan Dahl lobbing a shot into the penalty box, which came down about fifteen feet ahead of the net, but landed on the foot of Sara Wendt. Wendt was able to take the unintentional pass and arch it over freshman Alexis Wemhoff that crept across the goal line to give the Beavers their 1-0 lead.

At half, the Cougars were outshot 12-to-3, but the Cougars did come out with a fire, outshooting the Beavers 6-to-2. The Cougars were unable to get the equalizer needed though before time expired, despite having multiple opportunities.

The Cougars will take their home pitch on Sunday when they take on former USF assistant coach Kyle Halfpop and the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles. The match is slated for a 1 p.m. kickoff.