Box Score

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Freshman forward Kaylee McDonald (Ramsey, Minn.) scored her team-leading 12th goal of the season while sophomore Kirsten Saunders (Englewood, Colo.) scored her first goal since Sept. 18 as the sixth-seeded Northern State University Wolves scored two goals in the second half to outlast the host and third-seeded Augustana College Vikings 2-0 Wednesday afternoon in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference First Round Tournament action.
    The win avenges an earlier 2-1 loss to the Vikings back on Sept. 28 and moves the Wolves into the semifinal round of the post-season conference tournament.  Northern will take on Minnesota State, 1-0 winners over St. Cloud State earlier today.  The semifinal and championship rounds of the tournament will be played at the highest remaining seed in the tournament.
    After a scoreless first half, McDonald put the Wolves in the scoring column, taking a Saunders pass off a Maggie Fedor (Monticello, Minn.) corner kick and finding the net in the 48th minute of play.
    That trio teamed up again less than ten minutes later, only this time it was Saunders who picked up the insurance goal.  McDonald and Fedor were each credited with an assist on the score.
    Despite losing the slight edge in total shots 16-17, the Wolves did hold a 10-7 advantage in shots on goal.  Senior goalkeeper Kit Grace (Littleton, Colo.), however, was perfect in the net, stopping all seven attempts to notch her fifth shutout of the year.  Grace moved to 8-3-2 on the year with the win.
    The Wolves, now in the midst of their 11th straight NSIC tournament experience, now look to avenge a 2-0 loss to the Mavericks, the second seed in the tournament and the 17th ranked team in the nation, in Friday's noon semi-final matchup.