MINOT, N.D. – A strong wind from the southeast affected the way both the Minot State University and the Winona State University soccer teams played on Saturday.

Going against the wind, in the first half, the Beavers struggled to gather the ball and take advantage of the shots they took. Until the final minute.

With 52 seconds left on the clock Breanne Hatfield kicked a long ball to Ninfa Ramirez who got it off quickly for the first goal of the game and her seventh of the season.

"I thought the keeper was going to get it or the defender was going to get it," Ramirez said. "I kind of just hit it and it somehow went in."

At halftime, knowing he would be playing with the wind against his teams backs, head coach Jason Spain told his team not to let up. And his team listened as Minot State (8-1, 6-0) scored three goals in the second half against Winona State (6-3, 3-3).

Chloe Melton scored her second goal of the year, Ramirez scored again with her eighth goal of the season and Rimke Eurlings found the back of the net for the first time.

Every goal was assisted by a different player including an assist to Ramirez from Maritssa Perez making it the second straight game the two have connected.

Not only was the offense hitting their shots in the second half, but the defense played a strong game allowing zero shots on goal and only five shots total.

Defensive senior Haley Lolmaugh said it was the best defensive performance the group has put together all season. The performance began during a pregame huddle that has become a tradition this year.

"Before each game the four of us, me Emilie [Rebelo], Breanne and Ashley [Franco] get together right before kickoff and talk. We say, 'It starts with us guys. No shots, keep your man, play for each other, we're all tired just do what you know how to do.' It's just a little pump up and we communicate really well."

With the defense and offense playing a great game it was no surprise Spain was in a good mood when the final bell rang.

"I'm happy," Spain said. "We played really well. Where it ranks? This is probably the best game Minot State has ever played. Each of the past six games we have gotten better each game."

Minot State will play Upper Iowa on Sunday, October 4 at 1 p.m. at Herb Parker Stadium. 

About Minot State
Minot State University is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and NCAA Division II offering 14 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletics programs. The NSIC is a premier NCAA DII, 16-member conference featuring teams in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. The Beavers are the only public NCAA Division II institution in the state of North Dakota.