CROOKSTON, Minn. – MSU Moorhead utilized a free kick rocket from
Tabea Czech to jumpstart a solid all-around performance in the annual Highway 75 Rivalry Rock Game. The Dragons defeated Minnesota Crookston 2-0 on Sunday afternoon.
With the victory, MSUM retains the Rivalry Rock trophy for the second consecutive season and moved their record to 6-3-1 all-time in Highway 75 Rivalry matches.
MSUM would jump out in front early, utilizing some aggressive offensive tactics to gain entry into the Golden Eagle zone. A free kick opportunity arose in the 13th minute, with Dragon free kick specialist
Tabea Czech lining up on the left side of the pitch, just beyond the box. Czech customarily attempts to find the head of one of her teammates on free kicks, but opted to rely on her striking ability this time around. The Oestrich-Winkel, Germany, native sent an absolute bullet into the box which steamed over the outstretched arms of Crookston keeper Abby Olsen. The goal was Czech's first of the 2023 season and would give MSUM a quick 1-0 lead. The Dragons would manage 10 total shots in the first half with the score remaining at 1-0 through 45 minutes.
The second half would only continue to see the Dragons assert themselves on offense as MSUM would get off a total of 15 shots in the half. By game's end, MSUM had put 13 shots on goal. Looking for the ever-important insurance goal,
Ava Kieser would get a chance to put the match out of reach with a penalty kick opportunity in the 85th minute. Kieser choose to boot it to the right while Olsen opted to guess left. The shot was Kieser's first goal of 2023 and would put the finishing touches on a Dragon victory. In the match,
Simone Lewald earned her fourth clean sheet of the season with five saves.
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MSUM (2-6-4, 1-3-4 NSIC) returns home for a pair of matches during Homecoming week. The Dragons will take on Minnesota Duluth at 3 p.m. on Friday before battling on St. Cloud State on Sunday at noon.
