Soccer - News

BULLDOGS EXTEND WINNING STREAK WITH 2-0 BLANKING OF MARY

Sunday, October 18, 2009

It may have been a different day, but the hero was the same for the University of Minnesota Duluth soccer squad on Sunday afternoon.

UMD, who upped its overall record to 11-2-1 and improved to 9-1 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play, topped the University of Mary 2-0 at the Bismarck Community Bowl in Bismarck, N.D., getting the game-winner from senior co-captain Clare Dahmen for the second consecutive game.

The win extends UMD's current winning streak to five games, and snapped the Bulldogs' NSIC foe's 12-game home unbeaten streak. The nine wins in conference play are a new school record (the 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003 teams each reached the eight-win mark).

Defense ruled in the first half, as both teams combined for just six total shots. The hosts tallied both of the two shots on net, of the opening frame, the only pair Maroon and Gold junior goalkeeper Hannah Bengtson would face all day.

Dahmen broke the scoreless tie and delivered her fifth game-winning of the season - all have come in NSIC matches - at the 54:07 mark, curling in a shot that deflected off of Marauder goalie Carly Feiler's hand, and into the back of the net. Junior forward Becky Anderson notched her fifth assist of the year on the goal, while freshman midfielder/defender Ashley Brown recorded her third helper. The River Falls, Wis., native currently leads all 2009 Bulldog newcomers with five points (1g, 3a).

Senior forward Alex Paffrath used her head to deliver the insurance strike less than three minutes later (56:59). The native of Owatonna, Minn., charged a well-placed corner kick from junior forward Whitney Wilson, and directed it into the netting of the Mary goal, assuring UMD would maintain its three-point lead atop the league standings.

Bengtson earned her ninth shutout of the year with the two save performance, while her counterpart, Feiler, was unable to stop either of the shots the Bulldogs placed on her net.

"Defensively, we played really strong today," said the Lino Lakes, Minn., native after the 15th shutout of her UMD career. "The team's chemistry has helped us stay confident the entire year, and is a huge reason for our success."

UMD will embark on its final road assignment of the regular season next Friday, Oct. 23, when it travels to Bemidji, Minn., for an NSIC clash with Bemidji State University. The Beavers (9-6-0 overall; 5-5-0 in NSIC) are in a fight for the eighth spot in the conference rankings - the top eight teams in the final league standings make the postseason tournament. The match is scheduled for a 3 p.m., start.


Game Box Score

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