Bulldogs Settle for Tie

NSO NEWS RELEASE

The University of Minnesota Duluth soccer team made the trek to Aberdeen, South Dakota to take on Northern State this afternoon for the second time this season.

The team’s last met Sunday, Sept. 10 at Malosky Stadium, the game ending in a 3-1 win for UMD. The Bulldogs entered this game on a two game win streak, after defeating Minnesota State Moorhead Friday and Minot State the prior weekend.

UMD held the lead for 72 minutes, but in the end settled for their fifth tie of the season.

Jennifer Norris made several strong saves early, keeping the game scoreless until fifteen minutes in. The Bulldogs took a corner kick and Rachel Boelke kicked the flying ball into the back of the net.

Twenty minutes later, UMD was awarded a penalty kick after Myra Moorjani was tripped on a shot attempt from inside the goal area. Jackie Jares took the shot and sent the ball streaking past NSU’s goalkeeper, extending the lead to two goals.

With just over a minute left in the half, the Wolves scored after a long kick brought the ball into net-front traffic, stalling it before rolling over the goal line. The Bulldogs lead was cut in half and the teams left the field tied in shots (7).

As the second half started, NSU had an early breakaway, but the shot went wide.

A later scramble in the defensive zone was stopped by Boelke. At the other end, Anna Tobias was similarly stopped by a sliding Wolves player. NSU continued their search for a game-tying goal, but were blocked by UMD’s defense each time.

The Wolves were awarded a penalty kick, but Norris confidently stopped the close-range shot. A following rush was blocked several times by the defense and then picked up by Norris. Scoring was stalled for both teams, largely thanks to the Bulldogs smart defensive plays.

Three minutes left on the clock, the Wolves attempted another rush, passing right in front of the net and scoring, tying the game at 2-2. They continued to push in the last three minutes, but the scoring stopped at NSU’s 87th minute equalizer.

UMD returns home Friday, Oct. 20 to take on Southwest Minnesota State at 6 p.m. on Griggs Field.