MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota Aurora FC couldn’t have written a a lot better script for its first season in pre-professional soccer within the USL W.

They gained 13 straight video games, gained two playoff video games and performed for a championship Saturday evening in entrance of 6,498 followers at TCO Stadium. It was their sixth sellout of the season, and the one factor they didn’t get was to complete with a championship. Regulation wasn’t sufficient time to find out the USL W title. Almost 25 minutes into extra time, South Georgia Tormenta FC scored the eventual game-winner in a scrum after a nook kick to get a 2-1 win over Minnesota Aurora.

The workforce’s solely lack of the season got here within the title recreation match.

“Now we have rather a lot to be pleased with. Preliminary takeaway? This sucks, however we’ll be again July 22, 2023,” Minnesota Aurora coach Nicole Lukic stated after the loss.

“That is the proudest I’ve been being second place. It’s not simply the second place that issues, it’s what this workforce has constructed, what this group has constructed and what it’s going to turn out to be. It’s already unbelievable,” goalkeeper Sarah Fuller stated.

Lukic felt Minnesota Aurora got here out flat, and it proved pricey as Tormenta FC scored within the eighth minute to take a 1-0 lead. Off a free kick, Camryn Scully despatched a header to Jaida Nyby, who beat Fuller for the objective.

That awoke the Aurora, and so they obtained the equalizer 14 minutes later. Addison Symonds despatched an extended laser of a shot previous a diving Sydney Martinez within the twenty second minute, and the 2 groups had been tied 1-1 on the half.

“To see Addie hit an absolute banger simply introduced an actual smile to everyone’s face. She’s been very shut in a whole lot of different video games, so to see her lastly put one in like that, it was a particular second for the workforce,” Lukic stated.

Regardless of a number of probabilities within the second half, the sport went to additional time at a 1-1 tie. Minnesota Aurora thought the sport could be gained within the second quarter-hour, as Tormenta FC was referred to as for a hand ball within the penalty space.

Morgan Turner obtained the penalty kick, however Martinez got here up with the save earlier than one other shot from the far submit went simply broad. Martinez was named the title recreation MVP.

“Hats off to their goalkeeper, she had an unbelievable recreation. She saved them in it, that was the distinction,” Lukic stated.

A couple of minutes later, Tormenta FC obtained the game-winner. A nook kick was initially cleared and Fuller made a save on a point-blank shot, however within the fury of making an attempt to clear the ball, Tormenta obtained a shot within the nook of the web for what turned out to be the game-winner.

“I felt prefer it was going out. It bounced and hit within the aspect netting. It’s what it’s, unlucky.” Fuller stated.

It was Minnesota Aurora FC’s first lack of the season, and it got here with the USL W title on the road. A workforce put collectively by greater than 3,000 native buyers, contributing a mixed $1 million, performed its first 14 video games with out a loss.

Followers stuffed TCO Stadium, exhibiting girls’s soccer is alive and properly within the Twin Cities. Some gamers will play for his or her faculty within the fall, whereas others will begin to pursue professional careers.

“I’m so pleased with every little thing that this workforce did. I’m proud of how this entire season regarded and I need folks to know, don’t simply take a look at this recreation. This was an incredible recreation, however take a look at this entire season,” Fuller stated. “Have a look at what has been constructed, take a look at all of the followers, take a look at what the USL W has turn out to be. That’s what issues right here is that we’ve constructed one thing that can proceed on for years to return.”

Minnesota Aurora FC finishes its first season 13-1-1, and winners of the Heartland Division.

“What we’ve completed this yr is larger than successful or dropping this recreation, we modified the panorama in soccer with all of our great followers and the group right here,” Lukic stated. “We’ve set the bar actually excessive, and we’re excited that we’ve made our mark. That is only the start for Minnesota Aurora FC.”