CROOKSTON, Minn. – The Dragons soccer team took to neighboring Minnesota-Crookston to face the Golden Eagles in a battle of two teams fighting to break through in the NSIC. The Golden Eagles strong start to the second half propelled them to a win over the Dragons in a physical 2-1 battle.

For the first 10 minutes of the game, all the pressure was on the Golden Eagles as the Dragons forced four of the first five shots on goal. Half way through the first half both teams were issued yellow cards as both teams picked up the physicality and intensity.

With five minutes to play, the teams turned on the scoring threats, as senior Alison Wanner made a diving stop but the deflected ball sat on the goal line for a few agonizing moments before a couple of Dragon defenders quickly got the ball out of harms way. With only 34 seconds to spare, Jordyn Wallenborn made a crisp pass to Tricia Vanyo who put away the first goal of the contest and gave the Dragons a 1-0 lead at halftime.

The Golden Eagles came out in the second half and wasted no time jumping back into the game when Ashley Sletten tied the game just 1:47 into the second half. Nearly eight minutes later the Golden Eagles caught the Dragons with their pressure and Jessica Goodrich capitalized, putting the Golden Eagles up 2-1 at the 54:07 mark of the game.

The Dragons mixed and matched different lineups but could not get the ball to bounce to their forwards at the right times and fell by a final of 2-1. The Dragons fall to 0-10-1 (0-6-1 NSIC) and will finish the final two road games as they will face the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Marshall, Minn.