USL-W: MN Aurora FC defeats Chicago DLFC in front of record home crowd
Minnesota Aurora FC welcomed Chicago Dutch Lions FC to a steamy TCO Stadium on Friday night and came out ahead 3–1. Aurora notched another win off the pitch as well.
After consistently surpassing 5,000 fans, MN Aurora released an additional 1,000 tickets for Friday’s match, expanding total capacity to 6,200. That allotment sold out within hours and a total of 6,016 fans filled the stands. For the players and coaches, these turnouts make the final result that much sweeter.
“We’re all really just trying to enjoy each moment,” said head coach Nicole Lukic. “Every night is different — Fans tonight were incredible, the chants… We’re really, really lucky that we’re able to compete here in front of a community that really supports us.”
Despite the 12th [Wo]Man effect of the crowd, Minnesota had their work cut out for them in the first half. Chicago had much of the ball, forcing turnovers at midfield and camping out in Minnesota’s third. Aurora, however, find their way through on the counter.
A stunner of a goal by Mariah Nguyen in the 9th minute put Aurora up 1–0 early. Makenzie Langdok earned the assist with a long ball in, a play she utilizes early and often.
The tweet mentions a bird and a plane, but Nguyen celebrated as a fish reeled in by her teammates.
Minnesota held the lead until the 24th minute when the Dutch Lions’ Kat Stephens found herself in front of Sarah Fuller’s goal. The striker’s shot took a deflection and escaped what would have been a stutter-step stop for Fuller, skipping into the net to put the visitors level, 1–1. Aurora rallied to look for tiebreaker before halftime but Chicago goalkeeper Molly Fischer (a sophomore at University of Mary) played what was perhaps the best half of her young career.
As for as Chicago’s ability to change up the midfield spaces and force some extra creativity, forward Jill Bennett said:
“I think they were really good at trying to make us play the obvious passes. Initially, I think they were baiting us on some, some balls in the air, over the top. They’re really good at reading. So once we calmed down and just tried to find our passes, I think that’s where we were successful, but they were really good at trying to get us to play into what they wanted. Really good backline, they were very fun to play against. All credit to them.”
Aurora came out strong in the second half, as did substitute Cat Rapp. She found net in the 48th minute, but the goal was called off as she was just a touch offside in a crowded 6 yard box. Her next attempt however was declared a goal. A freekick in the 55th minute, taken by Addy Symonds, found plenty of Aurora players in dangerous positions. Rapp got the last touch to score her second goal of the season and regain Minnesota’s lead, 2–1.
Another substitute added an insurance goal in the 81st minute. It was Brooklyn Park-native Arianna Del Moral’s first goal in Aurora blue and a great example of the talent and abilities this coaching staff has brought together.
Bennett, who earned the Star Tribune Star of the Match nod with her assists to both Rapp and Del Moral, said, “I think the most fun part about this team is everyone brings their own strengths and we're able to play off of each other really well.”
With the 3–1 win, Minnesota improves to 7–0–1. Ahead of a three-match road trip to close the season, Aurora will host the St. Louis Lions on Sunday, June 26. With kickoff set for noon on a beautiful day, the final home match is sure to be a party.
