MITCHELL, S.D. – Facing its second-straight NCAA Division II opponent, the Dakota Wesleyan University women's soccer team defeated non-conference foe University of Minnesota-Crookston by a score of 1-0 on Saturday from the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex in Mitchell, S.D. Deandrea Johnson (Antioch, Calif.) netted the decisive goal in the 46th minute, propelling Dakota Wesleyan to the one-goal victory.
DWU kicked off the game with plenty of offensive momentum and opportunities as Alondra Partida (Salinas, Calif.) and Kamryn Harrop (Willard, Utah) attempted shots on goal 11 minutes into the opening period. Both shots were denied, however, the Tigers (2-1-0) continued the attack offensively.
Midway through the first half, Josephine Bardsley (Tea, S.D.) nearly found the back of the net, though the attempt was saved in the 21st minute. Partida, who finished the match with four shots, followed with another strike on goal that hit the post seconds later, and the score remained knotted at 0-0.
Despite a pair of corner kicks by Minnesota-Crookston, and a late header by Bardsley, both teams entered halftime unable to piece together a goal and the score remained unbothered. Dakota Wesleyan held the advantage 8-5 in shots while Hannah Trumbull (Casper, Wyo.) kept the net clean at the goalkeeper position.
Out of the gate and to start the second period, Johnson netted the first goal of the contest in the 46th minute, giving the Blue and Gray the 1-0 lead. Alexis Thompson (Sumner, Wash.) and Tiger senior Partida followed with attempts on goal, however, both shots were blocked and the Tigers were unable to capitalize on the momentum.
The Golden Eagles (0-1-0) tried to cut into the one-goal deficit near the 70th minute, though the Dakota Wesleyan defense stood its ground anchored by Kassidy Johnson (Hartford, S.D.) and Bailey Nester (Hartford, S.D.). DWU held on for the convincing 1-0 home victory, its second shutout win of the season.
Bardsley and Partida concluded the day with four shots a piece as the Dakota Wesleyan offense tallied 16 shots. Freshmen goalkeepers Trumbull and Isabella Gregg (Moreno Valley, Calif.) meanwhile combined for the shutout win.
Head coach Clayson Glasgow and the Tigers kick off Great Plains Athletic Conference play versus in-state rival Mount Marty University at 4 p.m. on Wednesday in Yankton, S.D.