UPSL-Women Spotlight: Aurora 2 extends unbeaten inaugural season into championship game

Minnesota Aurora FC 2 remains unbeaten in their inaugural season with a win on Friday night against Superior City FC. Aurora 2, the 1st seed in the Midwest West, hosted 4th seed Superior with an appearance in the conference final on the line.

Aurora 2 | 4-1 | Superior

Aurora 2 opened the scoring early when Ellie Primerano received a ball on the run from Mandy Elton in the 5th minute and beat Superior goalkeeper, Katelyn Olson, with a shot to the far post. Ava Westlund doubled the lead in the 16th, with an assist by Primerano. The trio of Primerano, Elton, and Ava Westlund, had a natural chemistry in Aurora’s offense from the first game but seemed to improve with every match. The three have scored a combined 30 goals in the regular season, out of the club’s total, 45.

The squads traded midfield runs and shots that tested both keepers (Olson for SCFC and Bayliss Flynn for Aurora 2) until Superior finally found a breakthrough in the 32nd minute. Molly Henderson’s goal was a long time coming as, after forcing some Flynn to make a number of saves, she was finally able to beat Flynn and hammer a ball into the net. The score remained 2-1 at halftime.

The second half began slowly, with legs beginning to feel the pace of the first half and the weight of the humidity. While Aurora had nearly a full squad in reserve (nine players total), Superior brought only four available subs and were forced to pick and choose their moments to sub players. Last ditch defense by Superior through the first 25 minutes denied a handful of run-of-play chances from Aurora, forcing the hosts to take three consecutive corner kicks. Aurora capitalized on the third, served in by Aleah Treiterer in the 70th minute to Bailey Dodds.

Ten minutes later, Primerano notched a brace, this time assisted by Westlund, a banger of a goal that made it a 4-1 game. Superior nearly benefited from some chaos in front of Aurora’s goal in stoppage time but Flynn and her backline smothered the chance and held on to the 4-1 lead until the final whistle.

“It was a good game,” said Aurora 2 head coach Mandy Pochobradsky. “They challenged us in ways that we weren’t necessarily expecting or anticipating but, to see the players be able to adapt and grow together and I think that’s the momentum we want to take moving forward.”

Aurora 2 v. NOSC Blast

That momentum will be tested by Sunday’s opponent, NOSC Blast. Blast finished the regular season in second place, tied with Aurora 2 on record and points but behind on goal differential (Blast +36, Aurora +38).

The clubs faced off once this season, on May 29th, fighting their way to a 1-1 draw. That was the only match in which Aurora 2 scored just one goal. Aside from that proven defense, the Blast boast the league’s leading goal scorer, Berit Parten, who tallied 18 goals in the regular season. (Ava Westlund’s 13 goals put her in a three-way tie for second behind Parten.)

On Sunday, Aurora 2 hopes to have an edge, hosting the match at TCO Stadium rather than at Concordia. Aurora will continue their campaign to make soccer more accessible by offering free admission to all who wish to attend. The franchise sent this statement to community members and media on Saturday:

“To make soccer accessible for everyone, admission to the match will be free. No tickets are required for entry. Fans are encouraged to consider a donation of $10 per person to support Aurora and the growth of soccer in Minnesota.

As part of the club’s commitment to fostering talent and nurturing young players, Aurora 2 provides a platform for emerging athletes to showcase their skills and develop within a highly competitive soccer environment.”

Whatever the result, the match played in front of what has the potential to be the largest crowd for a UPSL Women’s game this season will be a positive end to the season. If Aurora 2 win on Sunday, they will lift the franchise’s first trophy – a long awaited moment at TCO Stadium, where the senior team has suffered only one loss in three seasons.

Minnesota Aurora FC 2 will kickoff against NOSC Blast at 5 PM CT on Sunday, July 14. Follow Northern Lights Football for live coverage.