Adler Hat Trick Propels Aurora to 6-1 Win Over Dutch Lions

Eagan, Minn. – Continuing their undefeated season, Minnesota Aurora found the back of the net six times in their second win over the Chicago Dutch Lions, delighting 4,874 fans on Wednesday evening at TCO Stadium. 

In the fourth minute of the match, Maya Hansen was tripped up by a Dutch Lions defender to draw the first penalty kick of the game. Hannah Adler stepped up to the spot and slotted a calm, collected shot to the right corner to make the game 1-0. 

Adler made her own magic for her second goal of the game. After a quick throw-in and centering pass to Adler, Chicago goalkeeper Emma Guthrie rushed up the field and took out Adler’s leg. Guthrie received a yellow card for the foul, and Adler took the penalty kick. Her shot was nearly identical as she beat Guthrie low on the right side for 2-0. 

Arianna Del Moral, Maya Hansen, and Cat Rapp combined a quick string of passes in the attacking third to assist Adler and complete her hat trick trifecta in the 44th minute. Rapp slid the ball across the face of goal, and Adler tapped it in for 3-0. 

“You can have an amazing game and score zero goals, or you can have a game where you don’t play your best soccer and score six goals,” said Star of the Game Hannah Adler. “For us to have scored six goals when it wasn’t our best soccer – we haven’t reached our full potential yet – is a really good place to be in.”  

Mariah Nguyen wouldn’t let Adler have all the fun scoring. Addy Weichers delivered a splitting pass through the defense, and Nguyen used her speed and footwork to beat the remaining two defenders on the left side. From a tight angle, Nguyen’s shot went between the legs of Guthrie to score Aurora’s fourth goal of the night. 

Center back Tianna Harris came into the match on a two-game scoring streak, and in the 70th minute off of a corner kick from Addy Weichers, Harris extended that streak to three games. All of Harris’ goals have been assisted by Weichers off of corners or free kicks.

Through the first four matches of the season, Minnesota had not allowed a goal. However, in the 73rd minute, Chicago Dutch Lions’ Katelyn Nardulli broke the 433 minute shutout. Nardulli scored off a free kick, a well-placed strike to beat Amanada Poorbaugh.

After Nardulli’s goal, Aurora was determined to have the last word. Mariah Nguyen closed out the game in the 89th minute with her second goal of the night.  Rami Rapp played the ball through Chicago’s defense, and all Nguyen had to do was cut to her left to beat Guthrie on a tap-in goal. 

Minnesota Aurora’s next game is Sunday, June 11 at Chicago City SC. They will be back in action at TCO Stadium against Green Bay Glory on June 14. Schedule and ticket information can be found at mnaurora.com. Home matches will be streamed by Fox 9.