MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota State Moorhead used a strong second-half effort to earn a 1-1 draw in NSIC action on Friday. A penalty score from
Sophie Thompson helped equalize the Dragons with visiting Sioux Falls.
"The spirit of this team comes forward and at times our work rate was relentless," said MSUM head soccer coach
Scott Forster. "Hitting the woodwork multiple times, I felt we were unlucky not to get more from the game, but I'm proud of this Dragon group challenging each other and working hard to get better.'
The Cougars would open up the offense with several shots through the first 15 minutes. However, Moorhead's defense would block all the attempts outside of a try that missed the mark. Junior
Sophie Thompson would have a stellar try at the match's first goal after a foul in the 24
th minute. Thompson's freekick was stalled by USF goalkeeper Morgan Jost.
Emilia Bukholt Kristensen would be the next keeper to be tested, stopping four Cougar shots on net ahead of the 38
th minute. Sioux Falls would grab a one-goal advantage shortly after on a strong double assist goal. MSUM would have a try before the half off the foot of freshman
Maggie Jenks, but Jost would make the stop after the shot hit the top woodwork. At the break, Sioux Falls led, 1-0.
Moorhead's attitude would change as the second half commenced, using aggressive defense to control possession.
Clara Butler would play a major role in sparking the Dragon offense, first with a shot just after the 47
th minute. Butler would make the game-shifting play a few minutes later after finding space near the box. The true freshman would be fouled inside the penalty box to offer MSUM a chance to equalize.
Thompson would be the Dragon to attempt the penalty kick ahead of the 53
rd minute. The junior's shot would land in the top right corner of the net to even the score at one goal each. For Thompson, it is her second goal in three matches. As Sioux Falls continued to try and take a lead back, Kristensen would not be denied, stalling four shots over the next 20 minutes. In that same span, freshman
Alivia Thompson had a few strong attempts on net that were saved by Jost. Butler had Moorhead's best try at a lead, striking a ball that careened off the right post and out.
Kristensen would continue to make timely saves as the match neared a conclusion. MSUM's final chance at victory came with just under 30 seconds remaining in the match. Moorhead earned a freekick following a Cougar yellow card with Thompson taking the honors. The Auckland, New Zealand, native had a strong boot, but Jost would make the necessary save.
Thompson's penalty helped bring Moorhead a draw after 90 minutes in a match that saw MSUM command possession in the second half. Kristensen, the NSIC's reigning Goalkeeper of the Week, made 10 saves in the tie.
Up Next
MSUM (2-2-2, 1-1-1 NSIC) returns to Nemzek Soccer Field on Sunday for a 1 p.m. conference match with Southwest Minnesota State.
