Needing a win to advance to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference playoffs the University of Minnesota Duluth did just that. The Bulldogs defeated the University of Minnesota Crookston 1-0 in blustery, chilling conditions at the UMC Soccer Field on Sunday afternoon in Crookston, Minn. Sophomore midfielder Nan Glinsek broke the scoreless tie 94 seconds into the second half on her first collegiate goal. Glinsek gather the ball and worked her way up the field on a outstanding solo effort. She crossed over one defender, side stepped another, then proceeded to outrace the final would-be defender and rifled a shot past the Eagles' keeper Olivia Puttin.

That would be all the scoring needed as junior goalkeeper Sisley Ng made two saves for her fourth shutout and ninth win of the season. UMD captured its 10th win of the season reaching the double-digit mark for the 14th time in program history and first since the 2013 season. The Bulldogs won their 13th match in 17 all-time appearances against the Golden Eagles and have not lost at UMC (0-14-3, 0-11-3 NSIC).

After a grueling 110 minutes to No. 15 Bemidji State University at home the day prior, UMD struggled to establish anything on the offensive end, tallying only two shots in the opening 45 minutes. Neither team had any good looks as both clubs used the first half to gather information and make adjustments during the break. The Bulldogs awoken in the second half and made their move.

UMD outshot the Golden Eagles 13 to one. The Bulldogs first prime scoring chance after the goal happened moments later when the pair of senior forwards combined on a play. Skye Finley and Hailey Hoff worked together and a give-and-go as Hoff played a through ball to Finley who just played it wide of the goal. A few minutes later, junior forward Natalie St. Martin stormed down the pitch on a counter-attack and had a 2-1 opportunity with Glinsek. St. Martin had her shot blocked. In the 75th minute, junior forward Madison Carey led the Bulldog rush after she received a pass wide open into the attacking third. Carey waited and chipped it up to Hoff, who flung it over to sophomore midfielder Emily Hinz. Her shot sailed over the crossbar. UMC was only able to muster one shot in the second half as they spent most of the half defending. It was also imminent as UMD had 12 corner kicks compared to zero.

The Bulldogs improved to 10-5-3 overall and 7-5-3 in the NSIC. They will have the chance to extend their season once more with the opening round of the NSIC Tournament as the top eight teams in the final NSIC standings advance to the NSIC Tournament. The first round games will be hosted by the top four seeds on Nov. 1. The semifinals (Friday, November 3) and the championship game (Sunday, November 5) will be played at the school with the highest remaining seed.

As the eighth seed, UMD will travel to No. 20 Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Mavericks defeated the Bulldogs at Malosky Stadium earlier this season 1-0 in overtime. The last time UMD played MSU-Mankato in the tournament was back in 2013 in the championship game. Both teams tied 2-2 with the Mavericks winning the shootout. Game time of the round two meeting is set to start at 1 p.m.

 

NSIC STANDINGS
	Team	NSIC Record	Points
1.	Minnesota State Mankato	13-1-1	40
2.	Bemidji State	12-0-3	39
3.	Augustana	11-1-3	36
4.	Minot State	11-3-1	34
5.	U-Mary	9-4-2	29
6.	Concordia-St. Paul	8-6-1	25
7.	Winona State	8-6-1	25
8.	UMD	7-5-3	23

Other NSIC Tounament Matches:
#7 Winona State at #2 Bemidji State
#6 Concordia-St. Paul at #3 Augustana
#5 U-Mary at #4 Minot State