It had been 15 years since the University of Minnesota Duluth soccer team defeated Minnesota State University, Mankato – until Sunday afternoon at Malosky Stadium in Duluth, Minnesota.
The Bulldogs delivered a 3-0 definitive upset of the No. 7 Mavericks in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play, knocking off MSU for the first time since UMD posted a 1-0 win Oct. 30, 2011 on Griggs Field. Until Sunday, the Mavericks had stayed unbeaten against UMD in 17-straight matches.
That streak imploded, thanks in part to a stingy Bulldog backline that not only held the Mavericks scoreless – a team that entered the game averaging two goals a game – but also to just two first half shots on goal.
UMD's first and eventual game-winning goal came off a header from Nora Helvig. The midfielder tracked down an Alyssa Doyle volley for her third goal of the season at the 24:45 mark.
The Bulldogs struck again in 40th minute off the head of Marissa VanDeHei, who buried a cross from Kami Beavers for her first goal of the season to make it a 2-0 UMD lead ahead of halftime.
The Mavericks managed eight shots on goal in the second half and outshot UMD 8-5 in the frame, but it was the Bulldogs that tacked on an insurance goal in the 73rd minute. Ava Killian's first career goal was a rocket from the inside corner of the 18-yard box, and it stretched UMD's to an insurmountable 3-0 advantage.
The Bulldogs' three goals was a season-high, and they outshot MSU 14-5 on net. MSU had a slight 4-3 edge on corners, while the Mavericks goaltender, Lauren McAlpine, had 11 saves. Edy Halverson had four stops for her fifth shutout of the season, which ties last season's team-high from Kaycee Chavez. The Mavericks fall to 9-1-1 overall and 6-1-1 in NSIC play.
The Bulldogs improve to 6-3-2 and 5-2-1, and will travel to Moorhead, Minn. next weekend to face Minnesota State University, Moorhead in Moorhead, Minn. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.
BULLDOG NOTES: Sunday's triumph is the first against a nationally ranked opponent since UMD knocked off the No. 2 University of Bridgeport (and defending NCAA Champions) on Griggs Field on Sept. 12, 2019 … UMD scored a program-best three goals against the Mavericks on Sunday … before that, the Bulldogs had scored its program-high two goals against MSU back on Oct. 28, 1995, a 2-0 UMD win … the Bulldogs three goals was the most given up by the Mavericks since they surrendered three to Bemidiji State University on Oct. 14, 2018 – a double overtime loss for the Mavericks.
