CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston soccer team played a highly-contested match with Wayne State College Friday, September 19 but fell 1-0 after a 52nd minute goal by Paige Pemberton. 

The Golden Eagles dropped to 1-2-1 (0-1-0 NSIC) with Friday's loss. Wayne State improved to 2-0-2 (1-0-0 NSIC). Minnesota Crookston showed vast improvement against the Wildcats, a team they lost 5-0 to in 2024. The Golden Eagles had a one-goal loss (2-1) to Wayne State in Crookston in 2023. The Golden Eagles continue to show positive growth in year one of the Danny Burstein era.

Wayne State had 14 shots, with eight on goal. Minnesota Crookston finished with six, and three on goal. The Wildcats generated eight corner kicks, while the Golden Eagles tallied two. Sarah Burgum (Sr., F, Mandan, N.D.) paced the U of M Crookston with three shots, two on goal. Lilly Goehring (Fr., MF, Hartford, S.D.) had a shot on goal. Julia Finch (Sr., D/MF, Woodbury, Minn.), and Emmah Burnes (Jr., MF, Tulare, Calif.) added shots.

Wayne State looked to Molly Riggins with two shots on goal. Tyler Donaldson, Kaylee Herall, Pemberton, and Addison Vodnansky each chipped in two shots. 

In goal, Payton King (Fr., GK, Fairfield, Calif.) allowed one goal, and made seven saves. Alexa Hofstetter got the shutout for Wayne State, with three saves. King has a 0.33 goals against average in three starts, with a team-high 25 saves.

A majority of the first half was played on Minnesota Crookston's defensive end. Minnesota Crookston had a shot on goal in the eighth minute from Goehring for the best chance of the half. Wayne State had several opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, but defensively the Golden Eagles were able to stave off Wayne State's pressure.

Burgum put together a nice run early in the second half but put it in front of the net for a wide shot. Wayne State came back in the next few minutes with a shot on goal by Tyler Donaldson, followed by Pemberton who would be blocked and recover her own ball, and find the back of the net to make it 1-0.

Minnesota Crookston didn't go away, as Burgum put together a pair of threats for the Golden Eagles in the 62nd minute, and 65th minute, but both were strong saves by Hofstetter to keep the game 1-0. Wayne State was able to hold on through the next 25 minutes to keep the 1-0 win despite better offensive pressure by the Golden Eagles in the second half. 

The Golden Eagles will host Augustana University Sunday, September 21 in Crookston.