MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead soccer turned in its finest 90 minutes of the 2024 season on Sunday afternoon against Augustana. The Dragons were able to work out a 1-1 tie with the regionally-recognized Vikings on Senior Day. 

Augustana would very quickly attempt to implement a gameplan of pace and attack on the Dragons. The Vikings would get off two shots on goal through the first five minutes, but Quinn Carter would stall both attempts. Late in the fifth minute, MSUM's offense came to life as Blayke Hurley played a ball across the box to fellow junior Lilly Johnson.

The North Branch, Minn., native, fresh off her first goal of the 2024 season on Friday, was hungry for more. Johnson displayed some dazzling ballhandling ability to create some separation between her and her marker. The junior fired a low shot that had plenty of bend, as the ball rocketed to the low right side and past Viking keeper Taya Baker. Johnson's goal helped put MSUM up by a score early in the first half. Augustana would stay on the offensive despite the teams being relatively even as far as possession time. Carter would stop three more Viking attempts on net before the 32nd minute. Madalynn Hopkins would have an opportunity on net in the 31st minute that was saved by Baker. 

In the 32nd minute, Augustana would earn a freekick and quickly create some danger for the Dragon backline. Luckily for MSUM, Carter was on her A-game all afternoon as the Vikings tried a low attempt that was kicked away by a diving Carter. Augustana would try again off the rebound with Carter making another phenomenal save in net. Throughout the rest of the half, Carter would stop one more Viking try while Becca Cook had a nice chance in the 38th minute. Cook's shot was stopped, but MSUM would enter halftime with a 1-0 lead. 

Carter would continue to stall Viking shots in the second half as the junior would turn away four attempts before the 58th minute. Augustana would equalize in the 58th minute on a play that saw the ball patter around before being kicked into the net. While Augustana would have a host of chances on shots, not many found the target as Carter made three saves throughout the rest of the contest. The Vikings were afforded several corner kick attempts with each being thwarted by the Dragons. MSUM would have its best opportunity of the second half in the 76th minute on a low rocket from Jensen Seidel. The nice attempt was saved by Baker to keep the game tied. 

In the end, Carter's effort, coupled with an energetic performance from the Dragons would help them secure a tie. Carter finished with 15 saves, her second-highest total of the season, on 29 total shots faced. 

Up Next

MSUM (1-13-3, 1-10-2 NSIC) will conclude the 2024 season on Thursday in a 3 p.m. match with Minot State.