CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston soccer team held strong defensively for over 77 minutes but a 78th minute goal from Elaina Shromoff sent the University of Minnesota Duluth to a 1-0 victory Sunday, October 19 in Crookston. The Golden Eagles played a strong defensive game, especially in goal from Jordan Metz (So., GK, Lino Lakes, Minn.).

Minnesota Crookston dropped to 1-10-2 (0-9-1 NSIC) with Sunday's loss. Minnesota Duluth improved to 5-5-3 (4-4-2 NSIC) with the victory. The Bulldogs have claimed the last nine wins in the series. Minnesota Crookston's last win came with a 2-1 victory in 2015. The Golden Eagles have been playing improved soccer with five one-goal losses and a tie in their last seven tilts.

The Golden Eagles finished with five shots, four on frame. Emmah Burnes (Jr., MF, Tulare, Calif.), Sarah Burgum (Sr., F, Mandan, N.D.), Elise Lefers (So., F, Brookings, S.D.), and Maeva Lucas (Fr., MF, Delano, Minn.) each notched shots on goal. Minnesota Duluth notched 15 shots, with 14 on frame. Jessica Eischens, and Miriam Marsan each tallied four shots on goal. Elaina Shromoff had three.

Shromoff scored the lone goal, her team-high sixth of the season. Juliana Zerna started the second half and picked up the assist. 

In goal, Metz was able to stave off pressure throughout, but let in one goal. Metz notched 13 saves. Kaycee Chavez earned the clean sheet, with four saves. 

Minnesota Crookston and Minnesota Duluth played the early going of the game evenly. Lucas had the team's first shot on goal in the 38th minute. The Bulldogs ended the second half with the majority of the play in their offensive half. Metz put away a late chance in the first half by Marsan to keep the game knotted 0-0 at the break.

The Golden Eagles had an early opportunity in the second half from Burgum, staved off by Chavez as Burgum got behind the defense. 

The action remained largely on the Minnesota Duluth attacking third, until Shromoff found the back of the net on a brilliantly placed ball, originally looked to be a cross, that ended in the right corner of the net, off an assist from Zerna.

Minnesota Crookston had a late chance from Lefers in the 85th minute, but were unable to find the equalizer as they fell 1-0 to Minnesota Duluth.

The Golden Eagles remain home to face Minnesota State University Friday, October 24 at 3 p.m.