MANKATO, MN (NSUWolves.com) – After 90 minutes of action, the Wolves and Mavericks were tied 3-3 heading into overtime. With a total of 20 minutes of added time, neither team could gain an edge, leading to 13 rounds of a penalty kick shootout to decide who advanced, as a missed shot from Northern inched Minnesota State to the championship round.
The Wolves recorded three goals, 20 shots, six shots on goal, eight penalty kick makes, one assist, four saves, three corners and five fouls
The Wolves recorded three goals, 20 shots, six shots on goal, eight penalty kick makes, one assist, four saves, three corners and five fouls
QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: NSU 3, MSU 3
Records: NSU 11-4-4 (9-3-3 NSIC), MSU 16-1-3 (12-1-2 NSIC)
Attendance: 413
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Mavericks of Minnesota State backed the Wolves into a tight corner five minutes into the second period, going up 3-1 after an Amara Smith penalty kick, but gave the Wolves just enough room to claw their way out
- Four minutes later, the Wolves found themselves at the corner when Kylie Albert found the head of NSIC’s Defender of the Year, Lauren Youngquist, to etch the Wolves’ second score of the afternoon
- Northern State’s first goal of the match was scored by Jaylee Hofer on a deep shot outside of the 18-yard box, earning one of the most difficult goals of the junior’s collegiate career, while Smith (fourth minute) and Maddix Archer (29th minute) notched MSU’s opening-half goals.
- Northern State would play the next 35 minutes primarily on offense, giving the Mavericks’ dominant defense and NSIC Goalkeeper of the Year Lauren McAlpine a run for their money
- NSU’s 11 kept the ball on MSU’s side of the pitch for most of the remainder of the match, recording nine shots in the final 35 minutes compared to Minnesota State’s six shots in the entire second half
- Northern State’s offensive dominance would pay off in the 83rd minute of the match when Sarah Helderop notched the tying goal
- The Wolves got one last shot off with the score tied 3-3, but it was out right, sending the match into overtime
- Unlike the 90 minutes of regular time, neither team could put the ball inside the net in either 10-minute period of overtime, with Northern State recording four shots in 20 minutes
- It took 13 attempts from both sides to decide who would move on and take on Bemidji State in the championship, with Audrey Burns starting off hot with three stops
- Lauren Carpenter would put the Wolves on the board first after the Hofer miss as the second shooter for NSU
- MSU would go on to make its next seven kicks touch net, while Albert, Kailyn Poppen, Chloe Voss, Abby Missman, Ella Johnson and Greta Brooks would all make theirs, matching the Mavericks
- The Wolves had an opportunity to win the semifinal match as MSU’s 10th shooter approached the line, and Burns made a fantastic stop
- But Northern State was unable to capitalize, as Carpenter missed her next try
- Missman and Reese Hilsenbeck would each make their next shots as Savanna Stockness followed in her teammate’s footsteps, touching ball to net
- With advancement on the line, Poppen’s shot went too far left, ending Northern State’s run
- Despite not moving on, Northern State is just the second team this season to score at least three goals on the Mavericks and also the second team this season to outshoot Minnesota State
- Hofer, Youngquist and Helderop tied on the day with one goal apiece, while Helderop’s five shots and two shots on goal led the team
- Hofer (three), Albert (three), Voss (two) and Kennedi Gack (two) all finished with more than one shot in the match
- Burns finished with a match-high four saves while allowing three goals, while McAlpine recorded three saves and three goals allowed for the Mavericks
- For Minnesota State, Smith slated two goals on five shots and was one of two Mavericks (Archer) to record multiple shots
NORTHERN STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
Sarah Helderop: 1 goal, 5 shots, 2 shots on goal
Jaylee Hofer: 1 goal, 3 shots, 1 shot on goal
Lauren Youngquist: 1 goal, 1 shot, 1 shot on goal
Kylie Albert: 1 assist, 3 shots, 1 shot on goal
Audrey Burns: 4 saves
Sarah Helderop: 1 goal, 5 shots, 2 shots on goal
Jaylee Hofer: 1 goal, 3 shots, 1 shot on goal
Lauren Youngquist: 1 goal, 1 shot, 1 shot on goal
Kylie Albert: 1 assist, 3 shots, 1 shot on goal
Audrey Burns: 4 saves
UP NEXT
Though the Wolves lost in the NSIC semifinals, they are still eligible for the 2026 NCAA Division II Soccer Championship, boasting the sixth spot in the Central Region. The selection show streams live on Monday at 6 p.m. and will announce all 56 teams for the tournament.