CROOKSTON, Minn. – Minnesota State Moorhead soccer began the 2026 season with a rivalry series victory over Minnesota Crookston. A first half goal from freshman
Erika Bergh lifted the Dragons to a 1-0 win in the Highway 75 Rivalry Rock series.
Moorhead is now 7-6-2 all-time in Highway 75 rivalry games with the Golden Eagles. Minnesota Crookston had retained the traveling trophy the previous two meetings with Moorhead.
"We have made so many improvements culturally and that translates to some great soccer today," said head coach
Scott Forster. "Crookston is always a tough team to get through. You could see it in the celebrations how much this win means to the players."
The Dragons would be the first to get the offense started early in the first half with an aggressive gameplan. Moorhead would successfully possess the ball for much of the match's opening moments. A Golden Eagle turnover in the Dragon half of the field afforded a wide open shot opportunity for junior
Mary Cox just ahead of the 11th minute.
Cox's ball was struck well but lifted just high enough to hit the lower half of the top post. The ball would forcefully bounce in front of the goal line which catapulted it up above the net. At the same time, true freshman
Erika Bergh was marking the ball as she made a sprint to the net. Bergh showcased impeccable timing, connecting with her head to fire the ball past UMC keeper Phoenix DeBrusk.
Bergh's first career goal supplied a lead for Moorhead 11 minutes into the contest. Cox would be awarded an assist on the shot attempt that resulted in the score. MSUM's only other strong chance in the half came on a shot from freshman
Kadin Moles. The frosh tagged the top woodwork in the 39
th minute. Dragon goalkeeper
Emilia Bukholt Kristensen would stall Minnesota Crookston's lone chance in the half to preserve the 1-0 Dragon lead.
Moorhead's freshman contingent continued to be the aggressors as the second half commenced.
Ellie Lommel would put a shot on net in the 50
th minute, which was saved by DeBrusk. A few moments later, Kristensen would turn away three straight shots on net from the Golden Eagles to keep her clean sheet. True freshman
Clara Butler would have a chance at the net in the 64
th minute but was stopped.
Kristensen continued to showcase her ability shortly thereafter, neutralizing two shots on goal and stalling a corner kick chance for UMC. In the match's final moments, Minnesota Crookston would see their best chance at equalizing. The Golden Eagles had a shot hit the right post in the 88
th minute. However, Moorhead would hang on for the 1-0 victory behind seven saves and a clean sheet for Kristensen.
Up Next
MSUM (1-0) gets set for a pair of matches in Billings, Mont., beginning this Thursday. The Dragons take on Montana State Billings at 8 p.m. before wrapping the two-match series against Black Hills State on Saturday at 1 p.m.
