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UMD WEARS DOWN MSU-MOORHEAD 3-1 TO REMAIN IN NSIC PLAYOFF RACE

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Kelli Klun netted the game-winning goal Sunday at MSU-Moorhead.

This late in the season, the weight of every point in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference standings becomes amplified. The University of Minnesota Duluth came away with three big points Sunday afternoon, breaking away from a second-half tie on its way to a 3-1 victory over Minnesota State University-Moorhead at Nemzek Soccer Field.

The Bulldogs dictated the pace of the game, holding possession and creating opportunities in droves. UMD threw 20 shots on target, keeping Dragon goalkeeper Victoria Hoffman busy throughout the contest. Sophomore forward Maureen Stormont started the scoring with her sixth goal of the year in the 27th minute, driving a ball through several defenders and into the far corner of the net. The Bulldogs would take that 1-0 advantage into the break despite holding MSU-Moorhead without a shot on goal in the first half.

Less than five minutes after play resumed, the Dragons broke even on a rebound goal. Freshman goalkeeper Marissa Rosa made a diving save, but MSU-Moorhead tracked down the loose ball and put it away with Rosa out of position. Sophomore midfielder Kelli Klun put UMD back in front with her first goal of the year (with assists from Abby Serreyn and Dani Potter) before Stormont delivered the back-breaker in the 81st minute.

After going scoreless through the first six games of the season, Stormont now tops the Bulldogs in scoring with 17 points (seven goals, three assists) on the year. The Stillwater, Minn., ran her scoring streak to three games and racked up nine points this weekend (three goals and three assists) over the two-game stretch. Stormont has six multi-point games to her credit this fall, including each of her last three outings.

Rosa made one save on the afternoon and faced four shots in making her 11th consecutive start. Sophomore midfielder Jennifer Smith, senior midfielder Kelsey Gratz and senior defender Kristi Mehrman each collected assists for UMD (7-6-2 overall, 6-5-2 in the NSIC). The loss knocks the Dragons back to 4-11-1 overall and 3-9-1 within the league.

The Bulldogs remain in ninth place in the NSIC standings, just two points behind Concordia University-St. Paul. UMD will remain on the road again next weekend, when they head to the University of Minnesota Crookston on Friday.

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