MOORHEAD, Minn. -- An early first-half goal from junior midfielder
Mary Cox helped lead Minnesota State Moorhead to a massive Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) victory on Friday afternoon. Cox's score helped the Dragons defeat Minnesota Duluth, 1-0.
"We have played a lot of good soccer this year and today we converted that into a good result." said head soccer coach
Scott Forster. "The determination shown by everybody on and off the field to get better really showed."
Moorhead would have the contest's first two shots, led by a strike from
Alivia Thompson within the first two minutes of action. The second shot would be the one that shifted the match in Moorhead's favor. After the ball ping-ponged around, an errant header from the Bulldogs had the ball landing in front of
Mary Cox. The junior would wind up and fire off a speedy ball that proved to have too much pace for Bulldog keeper Edy Halverson. Cox's shot landed in the top corner of the net, offering up a 1-0 MSUM lead nine minutes into the game.
Emilia Bukholt Kristensen would stall four Minnesota Duluth attempts through the first 45 minutes to preserve the 1-0 advantage at half. The Dragons had a strong chance late in the first half off the foot of
Mattie Andrus, but the shot would be saved by Halverson. Thompson would have another shot on net early in the second half, but Halverson would make another strong save.
Minnesota Duluth would be furious in their attempt to equalize the game, testing Kristensen for the entire final 45 minutes. The sophomore made six saves in the half, including one in the 87th minute of action. Kristensen would save 10 shots, seeing a total of 26 shots through 90 minutes for a clean sheet. However, Kristensen's stingy play, coupled with Cox's goal helped Moorhead eventually etch a 1-0 victory.
Clara Paleen and
Lizzy Jaraczeski would play full 90 efforts for MSUM in the victory.
The victory over the Bulldogs is the first by a Moorhead team since September 17, 2011.
Up Next
MSUM (3-7-2, 2-6-1 NSIC) is on the road this Sunday for a conference meeting with Bemidji State. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
