ABERDEEN, S.D. – Griffon Soccer closed out its season-opening road trip with a 3-2 victory over Northern State on Sunday.
MoWest built a 2-0 advantage in the opening half behind goals from Kendall Knisley and Magaly Lopez before Northern State answered with two second-half goals to even the match. Jazlene Alanis delivered the difference in the 86th minute, scoring the game-winning goal to send the Griffons home with the victory and move MoWest to 1-0-1 on the season.
The Griffons broke through in the 33rd minute. Kinsey Dufour set up Knisley, who found the back of the net at the 32:54 mark for her first goal of the season and a 1-0 MoWest lead.
MoWest needed just over two minutes to double its advantage. Alanis connected with Lopez in the 36th minute, with Lopez scoring at 35:02 to give the Griffons a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
Northern State turned up the pressure after the break, recording 14 of its 19 shots in the second half. The Wolves cut the Griffon lead to 2-1 in the 64th minute before scoring the equalizer in the 68th minute to make it a 2-2 match.
With the match still tied late, the Griffons found the deciding goal. Alanis struck at 85:50 to put MoWest back in front, 3-2. The Griffon defense held Northern State off the board over the final four-plus minutes to secure the road victory.
Alanis finished the afternoon with a goal and an assist, while Knisley and Lopez each added a goal. Dufour also recorded an assist. Goalkeeper Morgan Byrd played all 90 minutes and made five saves, including four in the second half.
Northern State finished with a 19-8 advantage in shots and a 7-4 edge in shots on goal. The two sides each recorded four corner kicks. MoWest committed six fouls compared to eight for Northern State.
Up Next
The Griffons return to St. Joseph for their 2026 home opener on Wednesday, Sept. 2, against Wayne State at 5 p.m. at Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium. The match begins a five-match homestand for MoWest, with all five contests taking place in St. Joseph.
