MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead soccer fell victim to two early goals on Sunday afternoon in NSIC action against Sioux Falls. The Dragons were unable to rally back as the Cougars took the match, 2-0. 

It took the Cougars less than two minutes to alter the scoreboard as they would almost immediately move into the attacking zone. While MSUM would be able to turn away a dangerous try in the box 60 seconds in, the ball would find Sioux Falls' Hannah Welch. The senior would stripe a long shot from just outside the box and beyond the 18. A nice strike, a little luck (and maybe some Moorhead wind) helped the ball find the net as Sioux Falls scored just 104 seconds into the game. It would not be long after when MSUM had its first chance on net in the form of a shot from Madalynn Hopkins. Blayke Hurley would have another go for MSUM in the ninth minute as both shots were saved by Coo keeper Delani Daubman. 

Sioux Falls would have another chance in the 16th minute as they had a nice angle on keeper Quinn Carter. However, the junior had the presence of mind to move up on the ball slightly, which allowed her to kick the shot attempt away for a Cougar corner kick. The ensuing corner was thwarted by MSUM and shortly thereafter, Becca Cook had what was possibly MSUM's best chance of the day. Following a Dragon corner, Cook had a nice, close look at the net, but the Sioux Falls defense would collapse enough to alter the attempt. The shot was again saved by Daubman. 

Carter would make two more saves in quick succession in the 27th and 29th minutes to keep the Coo lead at one goal. Marin Hensley and Sara Alfrida Munk Nielsen would have chances on net late in the half that were also stalled by Daubman. Just before the end of the half, Sioux Falls would begin a break following an MSUM foul. Julia Bowman would place a nice ball to Mara Nelson with Nelson working towards the goal. While Nelson's shot was high, it forced Carter to leap for the ball. Unfortunately for Carter, she only grazed the rock, causing the shot to casually roll into the net. At half, Sioux Falls led, 2-0. 

The Cougar defense would tighten up in the second half as they would hold MSUM without a shot through the first 35 minutes of the frame. On the offensive end, Sioux Falls would attempt six shots on goal with Carter stopping each. Nielsen would put on a shot attempt on a freekick that was again saved by Daubman. Throughout the remainder of the contest, only one shot attempt would land on goal with it being saved by Carter in the 79th minute. The strong second-half defensive effort from Sioux Falls would help them hang on to the 2-0 result. 

In the loss, Carter, Hensely and Nielsen would play the full 90 minutes for MSUM with Carter making 12 saves. 

Up Next

MSUM (1-8-1, 1-5 NSIC) now gears up for the annual Homecoming game on Friday, October 11 against Minnesota Crookston. The match will be the 11th in the annual Highway 75 Rivalry Rock series.