KEARNEY, Neb. – MSU Moorhead netted its first goal of 2024 on Friday afternoon, but eventually fell to New Mexico Highlands in a neutral site match, 2-1.
"To play so well for 75 minutes and not get something from the game is strangely a positive and a negative. We are excited to continue on this journey together," said MSUM head soccer coach
Scott Forster.
Defense would command much of the first half hour of the game as the teams combined for only three shots through the first 24 minutes. Two of those three shots were blocked by the opposing defenses, including a strike from senior
Blayke Hurley near the net. The other was a low shot on goal by the Cowgirls that was saved by Dragon keeper
Quinn Carter in the 23
rd minute.
The scoreless streak would end shortly thereafter as New Mexico Highlands connected on a goal in the 25
thminute. Carter would stall another Cowgirl attempt as halftime neared in the 33
rd minute. The one-goal deficit would only hold for a few minutes more as New Mexico Highlands found paydirt again in the 37
th minute to take a 2-0 lead. Before the halftime break,
Madalynn Hopkins would place a shot on goal for the Dragons that was stopped by Cowgirl goalkeeper Haylee Driscoll. Through 45 minutes, New Mexico Highlands would lead 2-0.
MSUM would come out of the halftime locker room with some sense of aggression on offense. Hopkins continued her strong play in the 61
st minute as she fired a high kick that landed in the back of the net. The goal was the first for the Dragons in 2024 and is the first collegiate goal for the Denver, Colo., native. Heading into the 62
nd minute, New Mexico Highlands led, 2-1.
The Cowgirls would come back on offense looking to re-extend their lead to two goals, but junior
Rylee Truslow had other plans. Truslow stopped a shot on goal in the 64
th minute with the rebound providing the Cowgirls a second chance on net. The junior would stall her second shot in just over 30 seconds to keep the contest at 2-1.
New Mexico Highlands would keep MSUM at bay throughout the remainder of the match while the Dragons did the same. The two teams combined for two shots, both missing goal, in the final 25 minutes. In the end, the Cowgirls would hold on to a 2-1 win thanks to the two first-half goals.
Up Next
The Dragons (0-2-1) will remain in Nebraska as they await a Sunday afternoon match with Nebraska-Kearney. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m.
