ST. CLOUD, Minn. – St. Cloud State University denied Winona State University a weekend sweep on Sunday evening as the Warriors couldn't overcome three first half Huskie goals and fell in their comeback bid, 3-2.
Winona State drops to 5-8 (4-6 NSIC) after the loss as the Warriors enter the final stretch of the regular season tied for the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament. St. Cloud improves to 6-3-3 (5-2-2 NSIC) with the home win.
Despite the home team's three goals in the first half, it was the Warriors who struck first in the opening minutes of the contest. Senior Kendyl Keay sent a perfect feed to junior Georgette Topalis in the fifth minute of play for the opening goal as Winona State grabbed the early lead and momentum.
Unfortunately, the Warriors wouldn't score again for the next 60 minutes and the home team netted three unanswered goals over the next 30 minutes of the first half. Winona State managed just two more shots over the remainder of the first half while the Huskies uncorked 12, leading to the trio of scoring opportunities.
In the 19th minute of play, Warrior freshman Katie Timmons took down a St. Cloud player on a breakaway in the box and was issued a red card leading to the Huskies' tying goal on a penalty kick. St. Cloud made the most of its one-player advantage the rest of the way with two more scores to claim a 3-1 halftime lead.
The Warrior offense bounced back in the second half and made it a game by outshooting the Huskies, 5-4. In the 68th minute freshman Ellie Wardell buried her second goal of the year past the St. Cloud keeper to make it a one-goal affair with 20 minutes left to play.
The Warriors went on to record four more shots over those final 20 minutes of action, but shots by Jaida Weige and Keay were saved by the St. Cloud keeper held off WSU to preserve the victory.
The Warriors were led in shots by senior Courtney Wiencek (2) while seven different players each had a shot on goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Yanel Ortiz made four saves in the setback.
The Huskies (16) doubled up the Warriors (8) in shots while the teams were even in shots on goal (7). Corner kicks were a key to the game as St. Cloud earned seven compared to just two for Winona State.
The Warriors open a weekend homestand against UMary on Friday, October 25 at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium as four of Winona State's final five games will be played at home. Kickoff against the Marauders is set for 6 p.m.
