MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead soccer opened the 2025 season at home on Friday afternoon against visiting Black Hills State. The Dragons and Yellow Jackets played to a scoreless draw after 90 minutes. 

Physicality was the name of the match in the early stages as neither team would budge with Black Hills State holding a small possession advantage. While the Yellow Jackets would put on two shots within the first 10 minutes, both sailed off target. It was not until the 28th minute where the visitors were able to register their first shot on goal, which required a low save by Quinn Carter. Shortly thereafter, sophomore Mary Cox would tally MSUM's first shot of the season on a ball that missed left. 

The Dragons had what was potentially their best look of the half late in the 33rd minute. A returning Brooklyn Broderick sprinted to field a high pass off the foot of Lilly Johnson with Broderick connecting on a header attempt. However, Broderick's shot would get saved by Yellow Jackets keeper Rian Barthel. Throughout the rest of the half, Black Hills State would attempt four additional shots with none finding a target. After 45 minutes, the teams remained in a scoreless stalemate. 

It was the Dragons who would come out of the locker room with some offensive aggression as true freshman Ana Cecilia Walker would use her speed to find a look in the 47th minute. The shot would be saved again by Barthel. Carter would stall a shot on net shortly thereafter. Neither team would register a shot on the net until the 64th minute as Broderick made solid contact on an attempt. The kick forced Barthel off her feet, requiring a leaping punch to keep the ball out of the net. A similar scenario would play out in the 74th minute as freshman Kaci Malo found space for an attempt. The rocket required another leaping save from Barthel to keep the game scoreless. 

In the 83rd minute, another freshman, Lauryn Katzenberger, had a nice chance at the net, but missed the shot high. Not long after in the 86th minute, Cox would fire another ball on net as Barthel made another save. Down the stretch in the game, Black Hills State had three solid chances at a goal with two requiring saves from Carter. The Yellow Jackets last chance came off a rebound in the 89th minute, but the shot was sailed to the left. 

While Black Hills State out shot the Dragons 20-8, it was MSUM who tallied more shots on goal (5-4). Carter finished the game with a clean sheet and four saves. 

Up Next

MSUM (0-0-1) is set to take on Nebraska-Kearney in a neutral site match slated to take place at Sea Foam Stadium in St. Paul, Minn. Action is set to begin at 11 a.m.