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Aug. 10—BEMIDJI — For the fifth consecutive season, the Bemidji State women's soccer team was voted as one of the top three teams in the NSIC.
In the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll released on Monday, the Beavers were ranked third in the conference. They've been voted top three in the conference in eight of the last nine seasons. Defending NSIC champions Minnesota State was ranked first, while Concordia-St. Paul was ranked second.
"I think what excites me most about this years teams is the togetherness that they share," head coach Jim Stone said in a release. "We had a great spring together and the group really bonded and created both an identity and a hunger. They are ready to lead and welcome our very talented freshmen in. I think the combination of our leadership, youth & talent is a great recipe and I'm excited to see how it is lived out this fall both on and off the field."
Junior Madisen Fritel was named the Beavers' preseason offensive player to watch. She appeared in all 21 matches last season, totaling seven points off three goals and an assist.
"Maddie lives out the values of our program as well as anyone on our roster," Stone said. "When she plays you can see how much she loves the game and her teammates. She makes an investment in every training session which pushes her teammates and has allowed her to grow and develop. She's an incredible athlete who puts a lot of pressure on defensives and allows us to play off of her."
Senior midfielder Ella Wade was named the Beavers' preseason defensive player to watch coming off a junior season where she started all but one match for the Beavers. She posted a career-high nine points off two goals and five assists while helping Bemidji State's defense finish second in the NSIC by holding opponents to just 0.52 goals per game.
"Ella is a gritty player with a big heart who's work-rate is second to none," Stone said. "She breaks up passing lanes with exquisite timing, always one step ahead of the attack: she tracks back to make game saving tackles when a teammate or line has been broken. She's the windshield wiper for our backline and the starting block for our attack. She has the technical ability to both help us build out of the back or bypass the midfield."
Bemidji State returns 20 letterwinners from the 2025 season where it finished tied for second in the NSIC standings and made its fourth appearance in the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Tournament over the last five seasons. Stone has added 13 newcomers to the squad that look to make immediate impacts on a roster that features 20 underclassmen.
BSU aims to qualify for its 17th consecutive postseason when the 2026 season officially opens Aug. 28 at Chet Anderson Stadium, when the Beavers host regional opponent Missouri Western State. The Beavers kick-off the new season with an exhibition at Chet Anderson Stadium Friday, Aug. 21, against St. Benedict.
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In the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll released on Monday, the Beavers were ranked third in the conference. They've been voted top three in the conference in eight of the last nine seasons. Defending NSIC champions Minnesota State was ranked first, while Concordia-St. Paul was ranked second.
"I think what excites me most about this years teams is the togetherness that they share," head coach Jim Stone said in a release. "We had a great spring together and the group really bonded and created both an identity and a hunger. They are ready to lead and welcome our very talented freshmen in. I think the combination of our leadership, youth & talent is a great recipe and I'm excited to see how it is lived out this fall both on and off the field."
Junior Madisen Fritel was named the Beavers' preseason offensive player to watch. She appeared in all 21 matches last season, totaling seven points off three goals and an assist.
"Maddie lives out the values of our program as well as anyone on our roster," Stone said. "When she plays you can see how much she loves the game and her teammates. She makes an investment in every training session which pushes her teammates and has allowed her to grow and develop. She's an incredible athlete who puts a lot of pressure on defensives and allows us to play off of her."
Senior midfielder Ella Wade was named the Beavers' preseason defensive player to watch coming off a junior season where she started all but one match for the Beavers. She posted a career-high nine points off two goals and five assists while helping Bemidji State's defense finish second in the NSIC by holding opponents to just 0.52 goals per game.
"Ella is a gritty player with a big heart who's work-rate is second to none," Stone said. "She breaks up passing lanes with exquisite timing, always one step ahead of the attack: she tracks back to make game saving tackles when a teammate or line has been broken. She's the windshield wiper for our backline and the starting block for our attack. She has the technical ability to both help us build out of the back or bypass the midfield."
Bemidji State returns 20 letterwinners from the 2025 season where it finished tied for second in the NSIC standings and made its fourth appearance in the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Tournament over the last five seasons. Stone has added 13 newcomers to the squad that look to make immediate impacts on a roster that features 20 underclassmen.
BSU aims to qualify for its 17th consecutive postseason when the 2026 season officially opens Aug. 28 at Chet Anderson Stadium, when the Beavers host regional opponent Missouri Western State. The Beavers kick-off the new season with an exhibition at Chet Anderson Stadium Friday, Aug. 21, against St. Benedict.
Continue reading...
