FARGO, N.D. – Junior North Dakota defender Emma Contino, with nary a goal in the first two years of her collegiate career, was not expecting to be the one taking the decisive free kick in a rivalry game on Friday night.
Deadlocked in a scoreless tie at North Dakota State in UND's regular-season opener, Contino was lining herself up in a defensive position as the Fighting Hawks prepared for a free kick with 6:24 left in the second half.
But UND head coach Chris Logan pushed everyone forward and had Contino line up on the ball. It was a decision that ultimately gave Logan his first win at the helm of the Fighting Hawks.
Contino found the corner of the net from 40 yards out, propelling UND to a 1-0 win that snapped NDSU's three-game winning streak in the in-state rivalry.
"At first I was just going to chip it in behind and let my forwards to the work,” said Contino, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo. “And then my assistant coach (Chris Citowicki) said just to shoot it and I did and it went in. It was perfect. It was a great moment.”
Contino's game-winner came on just UND's second shot on goal of the game and landed the program its first win at Dacotah Field since 2002. The Fighting Hawks were statistically bested in shots (23-10) and shots on goal (7-2) but kept themselves in position to score a victory thanks in large part to goalkeeper Catherine Klein's seven saves.
“It is honestly indescribable,” said Contino. “We've been saying all year, 'Take the state back, take the state back.' We finally did it and it's such a great feeling and it was such a team effort. I couldn't be more proud.”
Logan came to UND after one year as head coach at Northern Iowa, but spent the four seasons prior to that as an assistant coach with the Bison. Style points were not his concern on this night.
“Very happy that we won a rivalry game against a good opponent,” said Logan. “In terms of the team's physicality, in terms of our willingness to do everything for the cause, I'm really pleased. I think our soccer -- it's still got a little bit to go but tonight's all about battles.
“UND-NDSU, I 've been in that rivalry many times,” continued Logan. “This is the first time I've been on the UND side and it's been a lot of fun so far.
Following last year's two-win season, the Fighting Hawks have opened the Logan era with a pair of exhibition victories and a rivalry win in the regular-season opener in their first three times on the field.
Now, UND will turn its attention to Sunday's home opener against Western Illinois.
“I'm really proud of the girls. This is a special moment,” said Logan. “It's just a start. It's one game, and now we have to re-focus for Sunday.”
UND and the Leathernecks will square off at noon Central at Bronson Field.
Notes: Klein's shutout was the third of her young career, tying her with Erin Pederson (2005-08) for seventh all-time at UND … Junior forward Brittany Mueller, a transfer from NDSU, had UND's other shot on goal and led all Fighting Hawks with five shot attempts … NDSU had eight corner kicks to UND's two … Logan joined Brock Thompson (Aug. 26, 2005 vs. Minnesota, Crookston) as the only coaches in program history to win their regular-season debuts … Official attendance was 613.
