Tech tops UMD

NSO – NEWS RELEASE

Sophomore forward Taylor Johnson netted her first career score in the 80th minute, but the University of Minnesota Duluth’s late rally fell short against Michigan Technological University as the Huskies held on to down the Bulldogs 2-1 on the turf at Malosky Stadium in Duluth on Saturday afternoon.

UMD (0-2-0) held the ball in Tech’s offensive end for much of the first 15 minutes of play, but the Huskies (2-1-1) would take advantage of a Bulldog turnover on the defensive end and strike first as senior midfielder Janelle Riedl struck for her first of the season for Tech.

The 1-0 score held through the half as sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Melby stopped five balls in the opening frame. Another defensive miscue for UMD would cost the Bulldogs in the second half as Tech’s speed and size overcame them with junior forward Jaci Mielke netting her second of the year, assisted by the speedy junior Lexi Herrewig just before the 60-minute mark of the match.

The Huskies would put 14 shots on net in the match, including 11 on Melby who made nine saves before the collegiate debut of first-year ‘keeper Sisley Ng, who stopped a pair of balls in the final 22:30.

UMD got on the board just as the clock ticked past 10 minutes remaining with junior forward Katie Peterson dropping a pass back to junior defender Skye Finley, who sent it towards the net and got a deflection from Johnson for the score.

The Bulldogs finished with 12 shots on the day, five on net, as sophomore Kirsen Hudak made four saves for Tech.

CORNER KICKS
UMD saw three first year players make their Bulldog debuts: Ng, along with Hermantown native Lyla Abukhodair along with Destiny Schmitz … Schmitz had one shot off the bench for UMD … junior forward Kailey Beatt made an impact off the bench, directing a pair of shots on-target … the assists on Johnson’s goal marked the first in the Bulldog career of Finley and second for Peterson … Beatt, Peterson, and freshman Natalie St. Martin led the way with two shots each for UMD … Herrewig had a game-high six shots, including five on-net for Tech.

UP NEXT
UMD stays on its home field tomorrow for its final non-conference match-up of the regular season, facing off with Northern Michigan University at 1:00 p.m. at Malosky Stadium.