Aurora continues undefeated season with 2-0 win over Kaw Valley

Minnesota Aurora brought the heat against Kaw Valley FC, winning 2-0 in the scorching weather. At kickoff, the temperature was 88 degrees, and it was even hotter for the players on the turf. It didn’t stop Aurora as Maya Hansen and Catherine Rapp scored to continue the team’s undefeated season to go 6-0-1.

In the 19th minute, central defender Kelsey Kaufusi stepped in at midfield to poke the ball away from a Kaw Valley attacker. Maya Hansen connected with Kaufusi’s pass as she split the defense. Hansen struck a powerful shot, and the ball ricocheted off a defender into the back of the net to give her team the 1-0 lead. Hansen now has three goals this year which ties Makenzie Langdok to lead the team in scoring. Kaufusi’s assist is her third of the season after notching two against Chicago City SC on June 12. 

“It feels great to win at home in front of this many people, said Maya Hansen – goal scorer and Star Tribune Star of the Game. “Being undefeated this far into the season is special, especially being our first year. We aren’t taking that for granted.” Despite the sweltering heat, 4,372 fans attended the match with 5,149 tickets sold making it the 4th straight game with over 5000 tickets sold. 

Captain Makenzie Langdok helped in the attack. Catherine Rapp in the 18-yard box. Rapp’s back was to the goal, but she turned to slip the ball past Kaw Valley’s goalkeeper Monica Wilhelm. The goal is Rapp’s first career goal. Langdok’s assist is her first of the season but seventh career point overall (3 goals, 1 assist).

2-0 is the magic score against Kaw Valley for Minnesota Aurora. Aurora beat the Cranes by the same scoreline in Kansas City on June 2. Goalkeeper Sarah Fuller combined with Taylor Kane who subbed in for Fuller in the 75th minute along with the defense earned their third shutout of the year with two of the three coming against Kaw Valley. 

Head Coach Nicole Lukic acknowledged how the heat impacted her players. “It was a battle of the elements, a true test in the hottest game we’ve played.”