WPSL Wrap Up: Week 3

Matchweek 3 Schedule:

Salvo SC vs Maplebrook Fury

Reynolds Field at University of Northwestern in St.. Paul played host to the second and final clash of the season between Salvo and Maplebrook. Both clubs came into the match looking for three points to take the lead in the Northern Conferences only playoff spot as they approach the halfway point in their seasons. Similar to the first match this one would end in a draw as well with neither team being able to net a goal through the entire 90 minutes of play.

Rochester United FC vs Mankato United SC

The Lions would host the first game in club history against Southern Minnesota foe Mankato United. The girls from the Key City would strike first as Rachel Luedtke finished off a play that began with the Rochester keeper trying to stop a cross but not getting a full handle on the ball. Rochester United would draw even in the second half when Maria Garcia fired a rocket from just outside the box that beat the Mankato GK into the right side of the net.

Fire SC 98 vs Maplebrook Fury

Fire 98 opened their season against the North leading Maplebrook Fury at SeaFoam Stadium in the shadow of Allianz Field, shortly after a Minnesota United match. Maplebrook opened up the scoring when Euthimia Bruer fired a shot into the top right hand corner in the 30’ to take a 1-0 lead. In the 40’ Maplebrook added the second goal to their tally when Claire Odmark would put a PK past the keeper in the bottom left corner of the net after she had been tripped in the box.

Dakota Fusion FC vs Salvo SC

Salvo headed up to the Red River Valley fresh from handing the hosts a 7-0 beating but the reverse fixture was a closer affair, in part because of laissez-faire refereeing which even saw Salvo’s Rachel Preston leave the field with a bloodied nose but no free kick. With all that said, Salvo still dominated large chunks of the game and scored four without conceding. Minnesota Golden Gopher Makenzie Langdok bagged a hat trick and Rafferty Kugler finished the game with a goal and an assist.

Fusion had a few chances to ruin the clean sheet but a goalmouth scramble saw a shot just wide, a couple of counter attacks fizzled out and the most promising chance ended when the attacker slipped over on the edge of the box when lining up the shot.

Ashle Norling/E Pluribus Loonum

Matchweek 4 Schedule*:

Rochester United FC vs Dakota Fusion

The Lions host their second home game as their second game of the season against Dakota Fusion. Fusion travels down to Rochester with an 0-3-0 start to the season and unfortunately not a lot to show for it. Rochester comes off the back of their first ever match, a draw against Mankato, and will be looking for their first win in club history.

Mankato United SC vs Fire SC 98

Mankato United has their home debut in North Mankato this weekend against Fire SC 98. The Black and Green enter the weekend with two draws and two points and look to grab three points to push them into a potential playoff berth. Fire 98 will come to North Mankato off the back of a 2-0 loss to Maplebrook Fury and wants to start the weekend off right as their season didn’t start well at home in Week 3.

Fire SC 98 vs Salvo SC

Salvo plays their only match of the weekend against Fire 98, who will be coming off the back of a road game in Mankato. With Salvo playing their fifth match of the season and hitting their halfway point they’ll look to take 3 points home to jump Maplebrook in the standings. Fire 98 on the other hand will be coming off a game the previous night against Mankato, Fire will hope to close out the weekend with a win as 6 points will put them into the hunt for the Northern Conference Championship and a WPSL Playoff spot.

*For exact kickoff times, locations, and tickets, visit the websites of the home club, which can be found by clicking the italicized team.