Saige Wimes broke a scoreless tie in the 88th minute and Minnesota Aurora FC beat Kings Hammer FC Cincinnati, 1-0, on Sunday at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh.
The victory clinched Aurora’s first Central Conference championship and sends Minnesota into the USL W-League semifinals. They will play host to either Utah United or Stockton Cargo on Saturday at TCO Stadium in Eagan.
After Aurora broke up a Kings Hammer possession in their own end, Wilmes sprinted into a perfect through pass by Mariah Nguyen. Threading a needle between Cincinnati defenders, Wilmes took control of the ball, dribbled left behind the defense and scored high to the short-side corner.
It was Wimes’ fifth goal of the season, and Nguyen recorded her fourth assist. The shutout was Aurora’s second consecutive clean sheet of the season.
Saturday’s semifinal will be Minnesota’s first home playoff match since the team’s inaugural season in 2022.
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