Two players netted their first career goals and the University of Minnesota Duluth soccer team rolled 2-0 over Michigan Tech University Friday night inside Kearly Stadium in Houghton, Mich.

The nonconference showdown was the Bulldogs second season-opening win against the Huskies in as many seasons.

Offensively, it was all Bulldogs all game, and it began from the opening whistle. Although MTU's goalkeeper, Bri Barrows, managed to save several attempts from Nora Helvig, Julia Skarda, and Alyssa Doyle early in the half, UMD's breakthrough came in the 44th minute on a corner kick. Junior Lauren McGough headed the ball into the back of the net off the corner kick ball from Kailey Tomzak to put the Bulldogs ahead 1-0. After 45 minutes of play, UMD owned a 10-1 shots advantage and a 4-1 shots on goal lead, in addition to the only stat that mattered – a 1-0 goal lead.

UMD has taken a 1-0 lead off a corner kick finish by junior Lauren McGough!! pic.twitter.com/IgAiYmvwLB

— UMD Soccer (@UMDSoccer) August 28, 2026

It was more of the same in the second half before finally in the 71st minute freshman Amelia Castleberg buried the shot attempt from Jessica Eischens to stretch the lead to 2–0. Both McGough and Castleberg logged the first goals of their career in the triumph – Castleberg also led the Bulldogs with seven shots, while McGough recorded the game-winning goal with her only shot of the match.

Bulldogs take a 2-0 lead on Michigan Tech after Amelia Castleberg nets the first goal of her career!! pic.twitter.com/P7XzkUmZ7R

— UMD Soccer (@UMDSoccer) August 28, 2026

Sophomore goaltender Edy Halverson – who made her first career start Friday night and turned it into her first career shutout – played a crucial role in maintaining the shutout, defending four Huskies corners and logging two saves. Overall, UMD outshot MTU 20-5, with 10-2 shots on goal advantage, and both teams had four corner kick attempts. The physical game had a total of 23 fouls, including 12 that went against the Bulldogs. UMD was also issued two yellow cards.

The Bulldogs (1-0) will head to Marquette, Mich. Sunday to face Northern Michigan University in a nonconference battle that is scheduled to get underway at 11:00 a.m.

BULLDOG NOTES: UMD has now won back-to-back season openers for the first time since the 2016 and 2017 seasons… this marks the first time in program history the Bulldogs have won two consecutive games against the Huskies.