University of Minnesota Crookston Athletics

JAMESTOWN, N.D. - The University of Minnesota Crookston soccer team knotted the game 1-1 in the second half against the University of Jamestown with their first goal of the season, but ultimately fell 2-1 to the Jimmies Sunday, September 27 in Jamestown, N.D.

The Golden Eagles dropped to 0-6-3 (0-5-1 NSIC) with Sunday's loss at Jamestown. The Jimmies improved to 4-4-1 (4-2-0 NSIC) with Sunday's home win. Jamestown picked up their third-straight win in the series.

Minnesota Crookston was led by their first goal of 2026, accounted for by Sydney Christopherson (Jr., MF/F, Sioux Falls, S.D.), her first of her career. Elise Lefers (Jr., MF/F, Brookings, S.D.) tallied the assist.

The Golden Eagles had one of their best shooting days of the season, with 11 from the field, and four on goal. Christopherson paced the side with two shots on goal. Kali Yates (Sr., D, Hedgesville, W.V.), and Aleisha Cortez (So., MF/F, South St. Paul, Minn.) also notched shots on goal. 

The Jimmies had 14 shots, with nine on frame. Kyah Gabel and Oriana Borrome paced the squad with two shots on goal.

Gabel led off the chances for Jamestown in the first half, with a shot on goal stopped by Phoenix DeBrusk (So., GK, Thunder Bay, Ontario) in the ninth minute. Five minutes later, Yates' chance was put away by Taylor Musser. In the 26th minute, Juliet Lopez found pay dirt with a goal off a Bre Oettle assist to give the Jimmies a 1-0 advantage. 

In the final 15 minutes of the first half, DeBrusk was crucial with three saves to keep the game 1-0. 

Minnesota Crookston broke through in the 49th minute. Jillian Muehlberger (Jr., F, Shawnee, Kan.) used a header off a DeBrusk free kick to find Lefers on the wing. Lefers made a great pass into the box to Christopherson, who finished for the goal to knot the game 1-1. In the 53rd minute, Borrome's shot was shut down by DeBrusk. Minnesota Crookston had back-to-back great chances in the 65th minute as Cortez had an opening but Musser got in front of it to stave off the pressure. Off the deflection, Minnesota Crookston had a ball played to the back post but it just missed the feet of a Golden Eagle, as the game stayed 1-1.

Jamestown broke the tie 1-1 in the 66th minute as Gaby Lopez scored off a Juliet Lopez helper to make it 2-1.

Minnesota Crookston had another great chance in the 77th minute as Lefers' shot deflected off the woodwork on the right side 

Jamestown was able to hold on for the 2-1 victory.

DeBrusk started in net, and had two goals allowed in 90 minutes with seven saves.

Musser got the win in goal for Jamestown. She allowed one goal, and made three saves.

The Golden Eagles return home to face Concordia University-St. Paul Friday, October 2 at 3 p.m.