ST. PAUL, Minn. – In the opening night of the 2026 North Dakota soccer regular season, the Minnesota Golden Gophers struck early and kept control throughout the match as the Fighting Hawks fell 4-0 on Thursday evening at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium.
The home team's advantage began early on into competition when the Gophers netted a shot in the third minute off a corner kick before tacking on another goal in the fourth minute for the 2-0 lead.
Despite striking so early, Minnesota was held scoreless for the remainder of the half as North Dakota turned up its defense and
Jacinda Hevesy-Rodriguez began to take control as goalkeeper. UND attempted four shots total in the first 45 minutes, proving that the fight was still there.
But when the second half kicked off, the Gophers extended their lead to 3-0 with a goal in the 49
th minute, again turning up the pressure on the Fighting Hawks early. UND was able to rip off three more shot attempts—but to no avail—before the final goal of the night came from Minnesota in 87
th minute.
Charlie Basinet,
Lillian Bashaw,
Hannah Peters and
Jentrie Porter combined for the four total shots on goal, logging on apiece, as the Fighting Hawks ended with seven shot attempts.
Hevesy-Rodriguez and
Jacque Worden split goalkeeper duties in the evening affair, playing in the first and second half of the match, respectively. Hevesy-Rodriguez had herself a first half as she registered nine total saves while Worden tallied three for an evening total of 12 UND saves.
North Dakota will return to Bronson Field for its regular season home debut against Green Bay at noon.
Postgame Notes
- North Dakota moves to 0-4-0 all-time against Minnesota
- Jacinda Hevesy-Rodriguez led with nine total saves on the night
- UND held the advantage in saves (12-4)
- The home team led 31-7 in total shot attempts and 16-4 in shots on goal
- Four Fighting Hawks combined for all four shots on goal
- The Golden Gophers ended the night with 18 corner kicks while UND was held to zero
- Fouls were 7-5 in favor of Minnesota with two total yellow cards issued
How It Happened
First Half
2:06 | MINN – Kate Childers (1) assisted by Taylor Heimerl
3:43 | MINN – Katie Krohn (2)
Second Half
48:10 | MINN – Katie Krohn (2) assisted by Ava Westlund and Selah Koleth
86:27 | MINN – Davy Mokelke (1) assisted Aaryn Gabriel
For more information on North Dakota soccer, visit FightingHawks.com or follow on social media
@UNDsoccer.
