MOORHEAD, Minn. -- On a day that honored MSU Moorhead's 10 seniors, Christie Kopietz's club played a hard 90 minutes that resulted in the Dragons upending 10th-ranked Minnesota State on their home pitch, 2-1.

The win is MSUM's first over the Mavericks since October 14, 1997, which was the third season MSUM fielded a soccer team.

Things did not begin particularly well for the Dragons as Minnesota State would use its aggressive offensive tactics to hit on some early opportunities at the net. A foul in the box in the 28th minute would provide a penalty kick chance for the Mavericks, which was converted on by Maddix Archer. Simone Lewald went left on the net with Archer knocking shot to the right, putting the Mavericks in front 1-0. MSUM would manage four shots in the period on back-up goalkeeper Clare Longueville, who started in place of Minnesota State's usual starter, Mackenzie Rath. Through 45 minutes, Minnesota State led 1-0.

That advantage would prove to be futile in the second half as the Dragons came into the final 45 with a new sense of aggression and persistence. This enabled MSUM to get a corner kick in the 49th minute, which was taken by free kick specialist Tabea Czech. The senior would opt to fire in a grounded pass to Brooklyn Broderick, who immediately got it back to Czech for a one-timer shot. The ball floated towards the goal and squeaked through the grip of Longueville for the equalizing goal. It is the first goal MSUM has scored on Minnesota State since September 18, 1999.

The tie would only remain short-lived as MSUM continued to push the ball into the Maverick zone. Czech would earn another free kick chance in the 53rd minute from just outside the box. Czech would find the head of another senior (and Moorhead native) Madeline Etter, which landed in the arms of Longueville, but the goalkeeper's momentum forced her backwards and past the goal line. The goal was Etter's second of the season and erupted both the sidelines and bleachers at Nemzek Soccer Field. Minnesota State opted to play Rath the remainder of the game in net. 

While Minnesota State would get off 16 shots in the second half, none of them found net with Simone Lewald turning in a career performance, making eight saves and punching out a last ditch effort from the Mavericks late in the match. The Dragons would continue to stifle the Minnesota State offense throughout the remainder of the half and collect a 2-1 result in the process. The victory hands the Mavericks their first conference loss of the season. 

Top Dragons

• Tabea Czech: One goal, one assist, 90 minutes
• Madeline Etter: One goal, 77 minutes
• Brooklyn Broderick: One assist, 81 minutes
• Simone Lewald: Eight saves, 90 minutes

Up Next

MSUM (3-8-4, 2-5-4 NSIC) will hit the road to face off with Augustana and Southwest Minnesota State next weekend. The pair of matches begins on Friday at 4 p.m. against the Vikings.