Anna Miotto

A late-season surge by the Minot State University women’s soccer team punched the Beavers’ postseason ticket, a run that continues for MSU which plays in the NSIC semifinals Friday morning.

A determined drive that truly was a team effort, that was reflected in the fact that six Minot State women’s soccer players were honored by the league’s coaches as they earned All-NSIC honors for their play this season.

Leading the way was freshman forward Anna Miotto from Riehen, Switzerland, who was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Freshman of the Year. Miotto, who has started all 18 games to date for Minot State, leads the team with 7 goals, which is tied for 4th most in the NSIC.

Along with being named Freshman of the Year, Miotto also was named to the All-NSIC 2nd Team at forward, leading the way for the six Beavers honored as defenders Morgen Fried and Sierra Haren, goalkeeper Siriana Gudino, and midfielders Sofia Galvez and Manuela Pacheco Martinez all were named to the All-NSIC 2nd Team, as well.

The honor is the first for all six MSU players.

MSU No. 8 in latest Central Region poll

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Beavers’ potential national tournament berth hopes got a boost on Wednesday as the final National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Central Region poll has MSU ranked No. 8 in the region.

MSU previously was unranked.

Eight teams advance to the NCAA National Tournament from the NCAA Central Region, the winners of the NSIC, MIAA, and GAC postseason tournaments, along with 5 at-large teams.

The NCAA Tournament field will be announced on Monday, Nov. 18, at 5:30 p.m. (CT) online at NCAA.com.

Currently, MIAA teams Missouri Western, Washburn, and Central Missouri hold the top 3 spots in the Central Region poll followed by the NSIC’s Minnesota State, Mankato. Central Oklahoma is fifth, then St. Cloud State, Concordia, St. Paul, and MSU.

MSU (11-3-4 overall) plays at 10 a.m. in the NSIC semifinals on Friday against Concordia, St. Paul in Mankato, Minnesota. The winner advances to the NSIC title game on Sunday.

St. Cloud State battles Minnesota State, Mankato in the other NSIC semifinal.