
Against Minnesota Aurora
River Light FC fell short to Minnesota Aurora, dropping their second game of the season 3-2 at TCO Stadium. After receiving a couple of early warning shots, River Light responded with a towering header from Anya Gulbrandson, scoring River Light’s first of the night. After a wonderful strike from Ellie Egeland that forced a save, River Light were given a corner as Gulbrandson got on the end of the crossed effort near the far post, rising above the Minnesota defense and putting River Light in front.
In the 25th minute, Minnesota Aurora were given a free kick just inches from the penalty area and came closer to converting if not for Blythe Braun’s low stretched save. Minnesota’s insistence yielded the tying goal as Morgan Stone’s cross reached Katie Duong who finished the attack from six yards.
River Light didn’t stand down as Devin Lynch got past Minnesota Aurora’s right flank and crossed a dangerous opportunity near the keepers near post in the 42nd minute. The first half ended on two dangerous opportunities that were kept out by Braun.
Back from the break, Minnesota Aurora took their first lead with a goal just two minutes after play was resumed. Compounding the damage, Minnesota Aurora scored their third off a corner. River Light didn’t give up despite the constant pressure as they brought the game within one.
After coming off the bench in the 85th minute, Evyn Schokora scored River Lights second by slotting a shot in the keepers far post. The late strike wasn’t enough to change the outcome.
Against Rochester
Back in Minnesota, a three goal second half propelled River Light FC to take their fourth win of the season 4-1 against Rochester FC At RCTC Stadium, four different scorers helped River Light take the three points from Rochester.
River Light took an early lead in the third minute, as Adriana Merriam bent a free-kick past the Rochester wall and far out of reach of the keeper. River Light almost put a second past Rochester after a counter attack ended in a Ellie Egeland shot going just wide of its mark.
Rochester had their clearest chance of the half snuffed out by Ally Deardorf as she blocked a high power effort from River Lights right flank in the 30th minute. Close to the end of the half, Deardorff took care of a free-kick attempt from Rochester to take the clean sheet to the break.
In the 50th minute, River Light found their second goal of the night as Calli Chiarelli advanced into the penalty area and sneaked past the Rochester keeper who had left her box to score her first goal of the season.
Rochester cut the deficit in half as they scored in the 60th minute, however River Light almost immediately countered with another goal, this time from Emily Rossi. From a long throw-in, Rossi took control of the ball in the goalkeeper's zone and pushed it past a couple of Rochester players and the keeper.
Up 3-1 and with the game coming down to its final minutes, Mya Nugent scored River Light’s fourth as she blasted a shot from distance with pinpoint accuracy into the top right corner. A fifth almost came as Olivia Duray hit the crossbar from the far side.
Previewing Bavarian United SC
Next up, River Light FC hosts Bavarian United SC at Spartan Athletic Park for their second matchup of the season. River Light defeated Bavarian United 4-2 last time with Merriam and Nugent scoring in the first half, and Lynch and Egeland scoring in the second half.
Bavarian United sits close to the top of the Heartland Division, just behind Minnesota Aurora. With just one loss this season, Bavarian United recently defeated RKC Third Coast by a 3-1 margin.
Only three more home games for the ladies so come on down to Spartan Athletic Park to catch the action!
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