Minnesota Aurora continues balanced attack and defeats Bavarian United 5-0

Minnesota Aurora FC may be a community-owned club, but in its last two games the team has shared its wealth on the field as well.

Four players scored in Aurora’s 5-0 win over Bavarian United SC on Thursday night at TCO Stadium. And in the team’s last win – Sunday’s 6-0 home victory over Chicago Dutch Lions FC – six players scored. This season, 14 players have now scored for Minnesota (7-0-2).

“This team is so strong,” said midfielder Katie Duong. “We’ve worked a lot in training on being more focused in the final third and I think that’s paid off in the last few games.”

That’s especially important for a club that’s a pre-professional “pit stop” and “signpost,” Aurora coach Colette Montgomery said. With the playoffs in July, Aurora’s key players could miss playing time for tryouts with new professional teams. A diverse group of scorers offers a strategic, not just celebratory, advantage.

“When a player leaves this environment, we’ve helped them get to where they want to go,” Montgomery said. “We know we have a great roster … and when the time is right and they’re needed, they’ll be able to step in.”

Following her three-assist, one-goal performance on Sunday, Duong continued her strong form with two goals and two assists against Bavarian United (4-4-1). After scoring three straight games with long-range shots, Duong scored from close range in the 16th minute after a run by striker Saige Wimes down the right side of the field.

But the 5,225 fans in attendance couldn’t go home without a long-range shot from Duong; in the 77th minute, she curled a ball into the far post to give Minnesota a 5-0 lead.

“I’m just starting to find my rhythm and my rhythm with the team,” Duong said. Montgomery pointed out that the team has only been together for 44 days in total.

Defender Julia Sattler opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a header into the six-yard box after a high free kick from Duong. Sattler’s goal was her first in Minnesota after playing in Germany, Austria and Albania after college. Sattler and the defense earned Aurora’s third consecutive clean sheet.

The other two Minnesota players on the scoresheet were Wimes, who scored in the 26th minute on a cross from Jelena Zbiljic, and Addy Weichers, who headed in a corner kick from Duong.

The Aurora remain first in the USL W League’s Heartland Division, one point ahead of River Light FC and Chicago City SC. Minnesota will look to remain unbeaten in its remaining three games – including its next home game on Saturday against Chicago City SC – on its way to the league playoffs in July.