Three years ago, the Minnesota Aurora advanced to the USL W League national championship game in their inaugural season.
Saturday night, another team playing its first year in the league stopped them one step short of returning.
A goal by Ellie Walbruch in extra time at the end of the first half proved to be the difference as the expansion Utah United topped the Aurora 1-0 in a national semifinal matchup before a crowd of 5,607 at TCO Stadium in Eagan.
The United (12-1-0) advance to face defending champion NC Courage U23 — which defeated Asheville City SC 2-1 in Saturday’s other semifinal — for the national title next weekend.
Minnesota finished its season 12-1-2 overall.
Utah — which entered play leading the league in goals — controlled the tempo for much of the first half, keeping the pressure on Minnesota goalkeeper Taylor Kane and the Aurora defense.
Yet, Aurora forward Ava Westlund started to assert herself as play went on, firing off a shot from just to the left off United goalkeeper Taylor Rath, then breaking free in front of the Utah net before Rath stepped up to make another save.
That set the stage for Walbruch to score in extra time, beating Kane to the ball and driving it into the net to put the United up by a goal at halftime. It marked just the second goal the Aurora had surrendered at home all season.
Minnesota managed to keep the pressure on in the second half, including three shots that sailed high of the net in extra time, but could not find a way to get the ball past Rath.
Related Articles
Making a splash: Byron Buxton hits for cycle in Twins’ win against Pirates
Lynx can’t recover from poor defensive start in loss to Chicago
Why the Twins nearly had to pull Joe Ryan after one inning Friday
Joe Ryan survives early struggles as Twins beat Pirates ace Paul Skenes
Baldelli says marquee pitching duel is “must-see TV”
Leave a Reply