CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston soccer team put full effort in 90 minutes on the pitch Sunday, September 22 against the University of Minnesota Duluth, but fell 1-0. The Golden Eagles outplayed the Bulldogs in the second half, outshooting UMD 8-3, but were unable to find the back of the net.

Minnesota Crookston dropped to 0-4-1 (0-2-0 NSIC) with Sunday's loss. Minnesota Duluth improved to 1-4-0 (1-2-0 NSIC). The match was another improvement for the Golden Eagles, as they lost 5-0 in 2023, and only 1-0 in 2024. It is the closest game played with the Bulldogs since a 1-0 loss in 2017. The Golden Eagles have three one-loss games this season. They had three one-loss games the entirety of the 2023 season.

The Golden Eagles finished with 11 shots, six on goal. Minnesota Duluth had 14 shots, 11 on frame. Minnesota Crookston had their most shots since 12 shots against MSU Moorhead in 2023. Tyler Chernecki (Fr., F, Winnipeg, Manitoba) led the Golden Eagles with five shots, three on goal. Callie Holthaus (Fr., F, Richmond, Minn.) added two shots. Emmah Burnes (So., MF, Tulare, Calif.), Abby Fettinger (Sr., D, White Bear Lake, Minn.), and Greta Saylor (Sr., MF, New Brighton, Minn.) each had shots.

The Bulldogs looked to five shots, three on goal from Anna Tobias. Their goal came from Jessica Eischens.

The Golden Eagles had the first chance of the game on a shot from Chernecki that was put away by UMD. Minnesota Duluth was able to get on the scoreboard in the 21st minute as Eischens put away a loose ball that wasn't cleared from the box.

Minnesota Duluth had the three shots in the remaining 24 minutes, but Jordan Metz (Fr., GK, Lino Lakes, Minn.) made terrific saves all day long to keep the Golden Eagles in it.

Minnesota Crookston peppered the net right out of the intermission. The Golden Eagles had four shots on goal in the first 15 minutes with chances from Chernecki, Saylor, and Burnes.

Chernecki had another great chance hit the post in the 69th minute to keep the game in favor of the Bulldogs 1-0. Minnesota Crookston's last chance was a laser from distance from Fettinger in the 90th minute, but they were unable to overcome the deficit.

Minnesota Crookston heads to the University of Sioux Falls Thursday, Sept. 26 to face the University of Sioux Falls.