Recap: River Light Vs. Minnesota Aurora

Facing one of their toughest opponents, River Light fell short as the late Friday match-up ended in heartbreak as Minnesota Aurora left with all three points. 

After an impressive start to the season, the Lights looked to keep the good momentum going against a familiar rival. Picking up a draw and suffering a defeat, the Lights looked for a change of fortune in the season's first edition of this tie. 

Coming into this match-up, River Light had the best defensive record, keeping two clean sheets against the Chicago Dutch Lions and Sioux Falls City FC while scoring six goals in the process. 

Minnesota Aurora put up similar numbers in their first two games, putting six goals in the back of the net while only conceding a single goal. The forecast warned of a tight defensive battle and what we saw at Spartan Athletic Park was just that. Two powerhouses of the Heartland Division playing a cautious game with calculated risks in the first half.  

Few chances were given away in the first half, as Minnesota Aurora drew first blood. With a high defensive line, Minnesota Aurora crossed a deep ball into the Lights right flank, and after a cut inside, Mariah Nguyen released a right footed effort that ended up in the back of the Lights net. 

River Light didn’t close the half quietly as a miscommunication in the Minnesota Aurora defense led Sydni Fink to take advantage and take a close quarters shot that was saved and ricocheted off the crossbar. 

Out of the locker room, River Light didn’t stop showing their perseverance as they continued providing pressure up top. Pressuring Minnesota Aurora keeper Taylor Kane almost worked out for Fink who got a foot on the ball as the opposition's keeper looked to play the ball out of danger. 

Throughout the second half it was often Kane who got in the way of River Lights search for an equalizer. 

Eventually Minnesota Aurora found their second goal of the night via a one on one opportunity, all but sealing victory in the first round against the Lights. 

Come on out to Spartan Athletic Complex for a special doubleheader as both sides take on Rochester (2-2-0).