DULUTH, Minn. – Winona State University picked up a much-needed win in its first game of a weekend road trip on Friday evening at the University of Minnesota Duluth behind a goal from freshman Jaida Wiege and a shutout in net by sophomore Yanel Ortiz.

Winona State improves to 5-7 (4-5 NSIC) with the win while snapping a two-game skid, and UMD falls to 4-7-1 (2-6-1 NSIC).

Wiege's game-winning goal came in the 69th minute of action on an unassisted shot to finally break the stalemate against the Bulldogs. The rookie now has a pair of collegiate goals on her impressive young resume.

The Warriors made the Duluth defense work in the first half as they peppered the Bulldog goalie with eight shots, but were unable to find the back of the net. Senior Courtney Wiencek had two quality opportunities to crack the scoring seal, but one went wide and the other was saved by the Duluth keeper. 

The second half was the opposite, as Duluth outshot the Warriors in the final frame, 13-3. However, it was quality over quantity when Weige made the most of her scoring opportunity.

Ortiz stood tall to preserve the shutout, her third of the season, by making seven saves in the second half. The Warrior keeper tallied eight total saves in the victory. 

Weige led the way in shots (4) as well as shots on goal (4) while Georgette Topalis, Alyssa Reynolds and Weincek each recorded two shots apiece. 

The Bulldogs out-shot the Warriors in total, 18-11, while Winona State was more accurate with a 9-8 edge in shots on goal.

The Warriors look to close out the weekend on a high note as they travel to St. Cloud State on Sunday to take on the Huskies at 1 p.m.