In a game crucial for the University of Minnesota Duluth soccer team's postseason hopes, Northern State University struck twice in the second half to defeat the Bulldogs 2-0 on the Athletic & Recreation Field in Aberdeen, S.D.

The loss now puts UMD a win back from the Wolves in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conferece playoff race and drops the Bulldogs into 10th -- the top-eight teams advance to the NSIC postseason -- with one game left in regular season action.

After a back-and-forth first half, NSU broke through on the scoreboard, heading home a corner kick in the 69th minute to go ahead 1-0. The Wolves doubled that lead in the 84th minute after the continual play off a corner kick led to a shot from Jaylee Hofer that beat UMD goaltender Kaycee Chavez in the upper 90.

Chavez finished the game with three saves while the Wolves had a 6-5 shots on goal advantage in the game and 12-6 shots overall advantage. NSU had seven corners in the game to UMD's three, including five in the second half to set the stage for both scoring opportunities. The Wolves improve to 6-8-3 overall and 6-5-3 in the NSIC.

The Bulldogs (6-7-4, 5-6-3) will finish up the regular season Thursday when the travel to Bemidji, Minn. to play Bemidji State University. Kick-off is set for 5:00 p.m.