For a change, the Minnesota Aurora managed only one goal Sunday. But yet again, one goal was all they needed.
Tianna Harris headed in Addy Weichers' free kick in the 40th minute, and the goal stood up for a 1-0 Aurora victory over host Rochester on Sunday.
The Aurora improved to 4-0 this season and have won all 15 of their regular-season games since starting up last year. The Aurora have yet to give up a goal this season, too, but this game — in which they continued to generate chances but failed to add on to their lead — was their closest after they won their first three games by scores of 5-0, 4-0 and 10-0.
In the 87th minute, Rochester won a corner kick. Aurora attempted to clear, but the ball fell to Lissa Mizutani, whose shot ricocheted over the crossbar and nearly tied the score.
"We learned a lot today from trying different players in new positions. It was a good reminder for us that we are going to get our opponents' best game the second time we play them," said coach Nicole Lukic, who had five players making their first start of the season Sunday. "Today's game allowed us to work on our game management with a more competitive scoreline."
Harris scored her second goal of the season. She is the only Aurora player to play every minute of the 2023 season.
Aurora plays again at home on Wednesday vs the Chicago Dutch Lions at TCO Stadium. In their first meeting, Aurora won at Chicago 5-0 on May 27.
Hjelle is Player of the Year
Minnesota Crookston outfielder and first baseman Jake Hjelle was named Division II Player of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association on Sunday, the first Golden Eagles player in any sport to be named D-II national player of the year.
