CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston soccer team scored their most goals since Aug. 30, 2018, as they earned a 3-2 win over Minot State University Tues., Nov. 5 at the Minnesota Crookston Soccer Field. The win was the first for the Golden Eagles in the Kyle Halfpop era and came over the Beavers who were NCAA Division II Tournament participants in 2018.

The Golden Eagles improve to 1-14 (1-13 NSIC) with Tuesday's win on a brisk day in Northern Minnesota. Minot State falls to 3-14 (3-11 NSIC). The game pitted two first-year head coaches with Halfpop and Chris Clements.

Minnesota Crookston scored the first two goals of the game in the first 14 minutes of Tuesday's tilt. Minot State was able to test the Golden Eagles down the stretch, but Minnesota Crookston held strong as they celebrated the 3-2 victory. The win is indicative of the great progress the Golden Eagles have made throughout the year under Halfpop. Minnesota Crookston came close on Sunday with a 2-1 loss to Minnesota State Moorhead. They were able to carry over the strong moments from Sunday's tilt as they were smarter on the attack, which showed in the early going on Tuesday.

Maggie Peterson (Jr., F, Princeton, Minn.) was the catalyst for the Golden Eagles as she accounted for four points in the victory with one goal and two assists. Latafale Niumeitolu (Fr., MF, Sandy, Utah) scored the first goal of the win, which proved to be the first of her career. Vanessa Shelton (Jr., MF, Tacoma, Wash.) added a goal, while Kiya Gere (So., D, Vancouver, Wash.) tallied her second assist of the 2019 season. Shelton paced the squad with three shots, while Peterson added two.

Athena DiMario Done (Jr., GK, Windsor, Ontario) picked up the win in goal with 16 saves, including several great stops. She allowed two goals. DiMario Done moved up to third all-time in saves with 234, surpassing Rana Scanlon for fourth and Cassie Ulmer for third all-time. DiMario Done is just 44 saves behind Lexie Gauger for second all-time in career saves.

Minnesota Crookston finished the game with 10 shots and five shots on goal. Minot State had 34 shots with 18 shots on goal. The Beavers were led by Sofia Lewis with two goals, while Daniela Fonseca had one assist. Lewis led the team with 11 shots, while Fonseca had six.  The Golden Eagles had three corner kicks, while Minot State notched seven.

Minnesota Crookston set the tone early as Niumeitolu moved her way to a perfect spot and scored the ball off her shoulder after a beautiful corner kick from the right side offered up by Peterson. Niumeitolu's first career goal came in the third minute.
The Golden Eagles had another prime opportunity on net from Gere in the sixth minute.

Minot State got their first opportunity on frame in the 13^th minute off a chance from Melanie van Walstijn.

The Golden Eagles were able to turn the opportunity on one end into their own chance as Gere played a long ball into the box that Peterson was able to win among a host of Minot State defenders and goalkeeper Erin Rafferty. The goal is Peterson's third of the season and came in the 14^th minute.

Minot State looked to respond as they had five opportunities on net in the following 13 minutes.

The Beavers were able to capitalize in the 34^th minute when Lewis found the goal off an assist from Fonseca to cut the lead to 2-1.

Minnesota Crookston went into the break with a 2-1 advantage.

The Beavers had the first shot on goal in the second stanza as Van Walstijn's chance was turned away by DiMario Done in the 50^th minute.

The Golden Eagles again turned it into their opportunity as the ball was won in the midfield where Peterson quickly got it and made a quick touch to Shelton, who scored on a beautiful ball past Rafferty. Minnesota Crookston took the lead 3-1 after the goal in the 51^st minute.

Shelton had another chance on net in the 55^th minute, but the majority of play would turn to the Golden Eagle defensive side the rest of the way.

Minot State had eight shots in goal in the final 35 minutes, but DiMario Done and the Golden Eagle defense was able to keep the Beavers out of the net.

Minnesota Crookston came away with the triumphant 3-2 victory for Halfpop's first career collegiate win.

The Golden Eagles will look to send off their senior class as they take on Bemidji State University Fri., Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. at Minnesota Crookston Soccer Field.