MINOT, N.D. – Winona State University entered the weekend riding a five-game winning streak and looked to further pad its resume in the NSIC standings. Instead, the Warriors will return home from their North Dakota road trip with a pair of losses after suffering a 2-0 shutout Sunday afternoon to Minot State University.
Winona State (6-7-1) sat in fourth place in the conference standings heading into this weekend's road trip, but after suffering losses to UMary and Minot, the Warriors currently reside in an eight-place tie (6-6-1) for the final playoff spot with two games remaining. Minot State improves to 9-4-3 (7-4-2 NSIC) with its ninth shutout of the year.
The Beavers tallied their third straight shutout and held the Warriors' active offense to a season-low five shots. Winona State entered the weekend ranked third in the NSIC in shots on goal/game (9.17) but was held without a shot on target for the first time all season Sunday by Minot State.
Minot would find the back of the net in each half as the Beavers uncorked 18 total shots, including 12 on goal. The Beavers utilized a corner kick six minutes after the opening kickoff to crack the scoring seal and proceeded to pad the lead to 2-0 early in the second half of action.
Both Yanel Ortiz and Jourdan Valkner saw time in goal for the Warriors. Ortiz got the start and suffered the loss while making two saves, and Valkner added seven saves after entering the game midway through the first half of play.
Kara Schramel added for two of the Warriors' five shots on the day.
Winona State will travel to Southwest Minnesota State on Friday for a 4 p.m. contest in the Warriors' final road game of the regular season. Winona State's final game of the regular season is scheduled for Sunday, October 28 and will be Senior Day for the Warriors.
