WINONA, Minn. – For the second straight time of the weekend homestand, senior Abby Bohanski scored the game-winning goal freshman Yanel Ortiz blanked the opposition in net as Winona State University tallied its fifth consecutive win.
Entering Sunday's matchup at a snowy Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium, the Warriors and Huskie were neck-and-neck in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference standings. With the victory, Winona State (6-5-1, 6-4-1 NSIC) leapfrogs St. Cloud State (5-5-4, 5-3-3 NSIC) and takes sole possession of the fourth spot in the conference with just two weekends left to play in the regular season.
With the inclement weather and difficult field conditions, the two teams combined for just a dozen total shots with St. Cloud holding a slight 7-5 edge over WSU.
The Warriors threatened late in the first half, creating chaos in front of the Huskie net but Ryley Harmon's shot was blocked before it could reach the goalkeeper.
Coming out of the half, Winona State was aggressive early and sure enough saw results. Melissa Greco found Bohanski just a minute and a half into the frame as the veteran buried her 30th career goal in what proved to be the eventual game-winner for the second time in three days for the Warriors. second goal of the weekend and third goal of the year just inside the right post, giving WSU the lead and the eventual victory.
Bohanski is now tied for ninth in goals (30), 11th in total points (76) and tied for fourth in game-winning goals in program history.
Greco tallied her second assist of the season on the Bohanski goal.
The Warriors created another great scoring opportunity midway through the second half as Camryn Cadiz found and open Addie Royer in front of the Huskie net, but the SCSU goalkeeper was able to make the save to keep the score at 1-0
In net for Winona State, Ortiz improves to 3-0-0 on the year with her third straight shutout and remains perfect making 16 saves in her three starts.
The Warriors will hit the road for three in a row before the season finale is played at home. Winona State travels to the University of Mary and Minot next weekend to open the three-game stretch.
