MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead soccer commanded possession for much of Sunday's NSIC match with Wayne State. However, the visiting Wildcats would take advantage of scoring chances to claim the game, 4-0. 

Both teams would see solid looks at the net in the early stages of the match. Sophie Thompson, Madalynn Hopkins and Kaci Malo all had opportunities within the first 10 minutes of play. However, Wayne State keeper Alexa Hofstetter would stall all three chances, including a point-blank look from Malo just ahead of the 10-minute mark. Thompson would fire off another shot on net shortly thereafter, but Hofstetter would again make the save. The Wildcats would surge from there, scoring goals within two minutes of one another in the 12th and 14th minutes. The scores helped Wayne State gain momentum as they now led, 2-0. 

Throughout the rest of the first half, MSUM would not be able to get a shot on net despite controlling possession. Wayne State would have three shots on goal to close the half with all three stalled by keeper Rylee Truslow. The Dragons would continue to control the ball into the second half as Malo had a shot on net that was saved again by Hofstetter. Blayke Hurley would try a shot in the 57th minute that was also saved by the Wildcat keeper. Wayne State would strike again just ahead of the 67th minute to take a commanding 3-0 lead. The Wildcats would score again in the 84th minute to lead 4-0 as the Dragons would not manage a shot on net throughout the remainder of the game. 

While the Dragons controlled the pace of the game, it was the Wildcats who would take advantage of their scoring chances. Moorhead won the overall shots battle (20-16), but Wayne State would fire off 12 shots on net to MSUM's six. Truslow made eight saves for the Dragons in the loss. 

Up Next

MSUM (1-3-1, 0-2-0 NSIC) is on the road for matches against Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls next weekend. The stretch begins on Friday in a 3 p.m. matchup with the Mustangs.