University of Minnesota Athletics
Thursday, August 20
Fargo, ND
6:00 PM
University of Minnesota
2-0-1, 0-0-0
2
at
1
North Dakota State
0-3-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| North Dakota St. | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Soccer
Defender
/ Soccer
Forward
/ Soccer
Midfielder
/ Soccer
Forward
/ SoccerTeam Stats
MINN
NDSU
Goals
2
1
Shots
18
4
Shots on Goal
6
1
Saves
0
4
Corners
6
3
Fouls
12
14
Scoring Plays
Morgan Russmann (1)
Assisted By: Abby DeSena , Payton Mulberry
GOAL by NDSU Russmann, Morgan Assist by DeSena, Abby and Mulberry, Payton.
64:43
Ava Westlund (1)
GOAL by MINN Westlund, Ava.
65:29
Ava Westlund (1)
MINN Ava Westlund PENALTY KICK GOAL.
72:49
Game Leaders
fwd
Shots
5
SOG
4
Goals
2
Assists
0
def
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Photo by: Mac Brown
Westlund’s Second Half Brace Propels Minnesota Past NDSU in 2-1 Victory
8/20/2026 8:19:00 PM | Soccer
FARGO, N.D. - Backed by two goals from senior forward Ava Westlund, the University of Minnesota soccer team (2-0-1, 0-0-0 Big Ten) defeated North Dakota State (0-3-0, 0-0-0 Summit League) 2-1 on Thursday evening at Dacotah Field.
Minnesota dominated the stat sheet, leading offensively with 18 shots compared to North Dakota State's four.
Both of Westlund's goals were unassisted. She led the Maroon and Gold with five shots, putting four on frame. Defenders Selah Koleth and Hannah Heinlein each recorded three shots, while Katie Krohn and Matigann Vixayvong added two apiece.
The Maroon and Gold defense allowed just four shots through 90 minutes of play.
The Gophers outshot the Bison 9-2 in the first half as both teams went scoreless before halftime.
In the 64th minute, North Dakota State's Morgan Russmann scored off assists from Abby DeSena and Payton Mulberry.
The Bison lead was short-lived, as Westlund scored twice in a seven-minute span to lock up the victory for the Gophers.
In the 66th minute, Westlund buried a free kick into the upper-left corner to tie the match 1-1. Seven minutes later, the Arden Hills, Minnesota, native converted a penalty kick to secure the win.
Minnesota will stay on the road as they travel to Provo, Utah to face No. 9 BYU on Aug. 27. Kick off is set for 8 p.m. CT and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Minnesota dominated the stat sheet, leading offensively with 18 shots compared to North Dakota State's four.
Both of Westlund's goals were unassisted. She led the Maroon and Gold with five shots, putting four on frame. Defenders Selah Koleth and Hannah Heinlein each recorded three shots, while Katie Krohn and Matigann Vixayvong added two apiece.
The Maroon and Gold defense allowed just four shots through 90 minutes of play.
The Gophers outshot the Bison 9-2 in the first half as both teams went scoreless before halftime.
In the 64th minute, North Dakota State's Morgan Russmann scored off assists from Abby DeSena and Payton Mulberry.
The Bison lead was short-lived, as Westlund scored twice in a seven-minute span to lock up the victory for the Gophers.
In the 66th minute, Westlund buried a free kick into the upper-left corner to tie the match 1-1. Seven minutes later, the Arden Hills, Minnesota, native converted a penalty kick to secure the win.
Minnesota will stay on the road as they travel to Provo, Utah to face No. 9 BYU on Aug. 27. Kick off is set for 8 p.m. CT and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
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