CROOKSTON, Minn. – Abby Flanagan delivered the difference late Sunday afternoon as the University of Sioux Falls Women's Soccer team secured a 1-0 road victory over Minnesota Crookston at the UMC Soccer Field.
With the match still scoreless in the 79th minute, Flanagan found the back of the net for her first goal of the season, breaking the deadlock and providing the eventual game-winner. Delani Daubman and the Cougar defense took care of the rest, holding the Golden Eagles scoreless to secure USF's first NSIC victory of the season and improve to 3-2-2 overall and 1-1-2 in conference play.
The Basics
Final Score: Sioux Falls 1, Minnesota Crookston 0
Records: USF (3-2-2, 1-1-2 NSIC) | UMC (0-4-3, 0-3-1 NSIC)
Location: UMC Soccer Field – Crookston, Minn.
Attendance: 80
How It Happened
Sioux Falls controlled possession and the attacking opportunities throughout the opening half, holding Minnesota Crookston without a shot through the first 45 minutes. Lily Dahler generated the first chance for USF in the eighth minute before Addison Van Zee put the Cougars' first shot on goal in the 10th, forcing a save from Phoenix DeBrusk.
The Cougars continued to pressure the Golden Eagles and earned corner kicks in the 15th and 20th minutes. Martina Krattley produced another quality opportunity at the 22:56 mark, putting a shot on frame that DeBrusk turned away. USF entered halftime with a 3-0 advantage in shots while keeping the match scoreless.
Minnesota Crookston generated its first opportunities shortly after halftime, putting together a stretch of three shots in less than 30 seconds near the 60-minute mark. Daubman stood tall in goal, stopping back-to-back attempts from Autumn Rabe and Elise Lefers to keep the Golden Eagles off the board.
The Cougars began to find their attacking rhythm again as the half progressed, and Flanagan moved into the center of the action. The senior defender put an attempt on goal in the 68th minute before testing UMC goalkeeper Payton King again at 71:58.
Flanagan's third opportunity proved to be the difference. In the 79th minute, she found the back of the net to break the scoreless tie and give Sioux Falls a 1-0 advantage. The unassisted strike marked her first goal of the season and stood as the game-winner.
The Cougar defense closed things out from there. Minnesota Crookston generated one final shot on goal with 42 seconds remaining, but Daubman made her third save of the afternoon to preserve the shutout and secure the road victory.
Inside the Numbers
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First NSIC Win: The victory moved Sioux Falls to 1-1-2 through its first four conference matches.
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Clean Sheet: Daubman recorded three saves across 90 minutes to earn the shutout.
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Defensive Start: USF held Minnesota Crookston without a shot in the opening 45 minutes.
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Shots: The Cougars finished with a 6-4 advantage in total shots.
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Shots on Goal: Five of USF's six attempts were on frame compared to three of four for UMC.
- Corners: Sioux Falls earned all three corner kicks in the match while holding the Golden Eagles without one.
- Game-Winner: Flanagan accounted for three of USF's six shots and put all three on goal, including the game-winning strike.
Key Cougars
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Abby Flanagan: Scored her first goal of the season and the game-winner in the 79th minute while leading the Cougars with three shots, all on goal.
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Delani Daubman: Recorded three saves across the full 90 minutes to earn the shutout and victory in goal.
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Martina Krattley: Put her lone shot on goal while logging 82 minutes.
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Addison Van Zee: Added a shot on goal in 73 minutes of action.
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Kate Murphy, Chloe Wilson, Lily Dahler and Flanagan: Each played the full 90 minutes for Sioux Falls.
Up Next
The Cougars will continue their road stand next weekend when they head to #5 Minnesota State to take on the Mavericks at 3pm on the 25th before heading to St. Cloud State on the 27th. Sioux Falls will return home October 2nd to host Jamestown at 7pm.
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