The University of Minnesota Duluth fell short against No. 16 Minnesota State Mankato Friday night at Malosky Stadium in the 2018 home opener. After starting with six-straight road matches in the first three weeks of the season, the Bulldogs put up a tough fight before a goal by Maverick Brynn Desens in the 67th minute spoiled the upset bid. Even though the decision went the wrong way, it felt good to play at home.
Facing their second ranked opponent in as many matches, UMD opened its home opener going step-for-step with the Mavericks before allowing the back-breaking goal that ended up being the demise. The Bulldogs held a slight advantage in shots in the opening half of play. Each goalkeeper did their part to keep the match scoreless at the half. The tug-of-war finally gave way to Minnesota State. After getting out shot 8-6 in the first half, the Mavericks cranked up the intensity with 13 shots in the last 45 minutes. Desens was able to strike from 25 yards out after receiving a pass from Molly Sarafolean. Her shot was just out the jumping reach of senior goalkeeper
Sisley Ng.
The second half has been the better half normally for UMD as it has scored five of its seven goals this season after the intermission. It had tallied goals in three straight matches before Maverick keeper Alexa Rabune put the stops on the streak. The Bulldogs would only get two of their three shots attempts off on goal in the second half. Senior forwards
Natalie St. Martin and
Destiny Schmitz each posted three shots for UMD. Desens was able to get all four of her shots on goal to lead all players.
Ng made 10 saves, one save short of tying her career high she recorded twice last season. In back-to-back matches, Ng has vaulted up the UMD goalkeeping charts. She now stands in tied for fourth with Marissa Rosa with 206 career stops, surpassing Michele Filipczak (196) after claiming the sixth spot from Mira Muikku last match.
The Bulldogs will host Concordia University, St. Paul on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. That NSIC contest will welcome back the program's alumnae of the 25th anniversary season with recognition at halftime.
