Minnesota Aurora Defeats Rochester FC 1-0 to Stay Undefeated

Rochester, Minn. – Hundreds of Minnesota Aurora fans made the trek to Rochester to cheer their team to a 1-0 win and continue an undefeated 2023 season. The franchise has never lost during the regular season and is currently on a 15-game regular season winning streak starting in 2022. 

Minnesota Aurora’s starting lineup looked different against Rochester FC with five players getting their first start of the season. Kelsey Kaufusi made her first appearance of the 2023 season after being held out by a hamstring injury.

“We learned a lot today from trying different players in new positions. It was a good reminder for us that we are going to get our opponents’ best game the second time we play them,” said Head Coach Nicole Lukic. “Today’s game allowed us to work on our game management with a more competitive scoreline.”

Neither team could find their footing in the opening 30 minutes, battling back and forth. Aurora maintained most of the possession, but Rochester broke up the match’s tempo by intercepting passes in the attacking third and playing physical. 

In the 40th minute, Rochester was unable to contain Aurora’s Hannah Adler racing down the left sideline, and defender Sarah De Gannes committed a foul to break up the play. De Gannes was yellow carded, and Minnesota Aurora won a free kick outside of the 18-yard box. 

Addy Weichers, one of Aurora’s designated corner kick takers, served the free kick across the face of goal. Center back Tianna Harris pushed into the attacking third and headed the ball past goalkeeper Emma Knack for Aurora’s lone goal of the match. 

The goal is Harris’ second of the season, and she is the only Minnesota Aurora player to play every minute of the 2023 season. 

Minnesota Aurora continued to maintain possession and put shots on frame to generate over 10 corner kicks, but they were unable to capitalize on their scoring chances. 

“Overall, we did well and had a lot of chances, but we just couldn’t find the back of the net as much as we usually do,” said Star of the Game Tianna Harris. “Definitely a learning experience for our team because everyone else in the league is going to give us their best game.”

In the 87th minute, Rochester mounted a counter attack and won a corner kick. Aurora attempted to clear, but the ball fell to Lissa Mizutani, whose shot ricocheted over the crossbar and nearly tied the game. 

Minnesota Aurora will be back in action at TCO Stadium against the Chicago Dutch Lions on June 7 at 7pm. Schedule and ticket information can be found at mnaurora.com. Home matches will be streamed by Fox 9.