Two second-half goals just four minutes apart from Ferris State ended Bemidji State’s run in the NCAA Division II national tournament with a 2-0 loss in a national quarterfinal on Sunday at Chet Anderson Stadium.

Fresh off winning the Central Region title for the first time in team history on Friday, the Beavers started slowly in a first half that saw the Bulldogs threaten with multiple dangerous chances–including a cross that glanced off the crossbar–in the opening 10 minutes. Despite a sluggish opening 20 minutes, Bemidji State kept the match scoreless at halftime.

The early exchanges of the second half showed improvement and more time on the ball for BSU, but Ferris State struck for the match-winner on a corner from Lindsay Cole that was turned in at close range by Payton Price in the 53rd minute.

Just four minutes later, defender Nikki May embarked on a weaving run forward down the right flank and struck a dipping shot over BSU goalkeeper Alyssa Stumbaugh to double the advantage.

Sara Wendt twice came close to getting a goal back for Bemidji State, first seeing a volleyed effort parried away at the near post and then later with a one-on-one chance that was missed wide of goal with just under eight minutes left.

The Beavers were ultimately outshot 7-4 in efforts on target, as their 17-match unbeaten run came to an end just one victory shy of reaching the Final Four in Seattle.

Bemidji State concludes its historic season with a record of 16-3-6, a first-ever NSIC conference tournament championship, and a first-ever NCAA Central Region title.

Postgame interview with Bemidji State head coach Jim Stone: