SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The University of Minnesota Crookston soccer team held Augustana University scoreless for nearly 80 minutes, until the Vikings scored two goals in the final 11 minutes to pick up a 2-0 victory. The game marks the closest game between UMN Crookston and Augustana since a 1-0 loss October 22, 2023 in Crookston.
The Vikings picked up the 5-1 victory over the Golden Eagles in Crookston last season. Minnesota Crookston's last win over Augustana came with a 1-0 victory October 5, 2014. Minnesota Crookston dropped to 0-2-2 (0-1-0 NSIC) with Friday's loss at Morstad Field in Sioux Falls. Augustana improved to 3-0-1 (1-0-0 NSIC) with the win.
Augustana's defense has only allowed one goal in four games as Linnea Larson earned her third clean sheet of the 2026 slate. Phoenix DeBrusk (So., GK, Thunder Bay, Ontario) had a clean sheet in 79 minutes of play before allowing the two late goals. DeBrusk made three saves Friday evening.
Offensively, the Golden Eagles finished with five shots, with four on goal. All five shots came in the second half as Minnesota Crookston put on the pressure. Augie finished with 15 shots, five on frame. The Vikings notched two corner kicks, and each team had seven fouls.
Natalie Ramthun scored her first goal of the season to break the scoreless tie in the 80th minute off assists from Makenzie Nelson, and Paige Bracker. Delaney Awe put in the final tally, her second of the season, off an assist from Madelyn White.
Kedin Geremiah (Sr., F, Winnipeg, Manitoba) led the way with two shots, one on goal. Jillian Muehlberger (Jr., F, Shawnee, Kan.), Tessa VanOverbeke (Sr., D/MF, Hartford, S.D.), and Aleisha Cortez (So., MF/F, South St. Paul, Minn.) each put one shot on goal. Augustana looked to three shots from White, and three shots on goal from Awe.
Neither team was able to put a shot on goal until the 36th minute, as both defenses were able to keep the opposition at bay. Awe's attempt in the 36th minute was turned away by DeBrusk. Awe had another chance in the 40th minute denied by DeBrusk to send the game into the break with a 0-0 tie.
Minnesota Crookston had the early pressure out of the gate in the second with a 58th minute chance from Cortez, denied by Larson. The Golden Eagles continued the pace as Muehlberger's try was put away by Larson. Minnesota Crookston turned up the pressure in the 78th minute with back-to-back chances from Geremiah, and VanOverbeke. However, Augustana quickly turned their defense into offense as Ramthun found the goal in the 80th minute to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead.
Augustana put the game away in the 88th with Awe's goal to give the Vikings the 2-0 win.
Minnesota Crookston continues their road excursion Sunday, September 13 at 1 p.m., against Wayne State College.
