BAXTER — Emily Beltran scored three goals and cranked out 11 of Brainerd’s 19 shots as the Warriors ended the regular season Saturday with a 5-3 win over the Bemidji Lumberjacks at Southdale Field.
“We went down in the first 34 seconds 1-0,” Brainerd coach Ricky Lacerte said. “It was the fourth game this season that we have started down and came back to win. That’s something in the past six years we haven’t done once — until this season.”
Hannah Lundstrom collected a goal and two assists as Brainerd finished the regular season with three straight wins and a 7-8-1 overall record entering the Section 8-2A tournament, which is tentatively scheduled to open Thursday.
“Hannah once again was quite a playmaker,” Lacerte said. “She had two assists. That’s just as valuable as scoring goals.”
Rachel Ford scored the other Brainerd goal on a penalty kick. Jenny Hendrickson picked up an assist. Warriors keeper Tori Saxum stopped 16 shots.
Bemidji 1 2 — 3
Brainerd 2 3 — 5
First half: Bem-Stina Haave, 0:34, Brd-Emily Beltran (Hannah Lundstrom) 14:50; Brd-Rachel Ford PK 22:35
Second half: Brd-Hannah Lundstrom 63:43; Brd-Emily Beltran (Lundstrom) 67:13; Bem-Erin Booth (Josie Spry) 72:05; Brd-Beltran (Jenny Hendrickson) 77:05
Shots on goal: Bem 19, Brd 19
Goalkeepers: Bem-Casey Palmer (14 saves), Brd-Tori Saxum (16 saves)
Overall: Brd 7-8-1. Next: Brainerd in Section 8-2A opening round Thursday.
