Aurora fall short, lose to Utah in USL W League national semifinals

Three years ago the Minnesota Aurora advanced to the USL W League national championship battle in their inaugural season Saturday night another gang playing its first year in the league stopped them one step short of returning A goal by Ellie Walbruch in extra time at the end of the first half proved to be the difference as the expansion Utah United topped the Aurora - in a national semifinal matchup before a crowd of at TCO Stadium in Eagan The United - - advance to face defending champion NC Courage U which defeated Asheville City SC - in Saturday s other semifinal for the national title next weekend Minnesota finished its season - - overall Utah which entered play leading the league in goals controlled the tempo for much of the first half keeping the pressure on Minnesota goalkeeper Taylor Kane and the Aurora defense Yet Aurora forward Ava Westlund started to assert herself as play went on firing off a shot from just to the left off United goalkeeper Taylor Rath then developing free in front of the Utah net before Rath stepped up to make another save That set the stage for Walbruch to count in extra time beating Kane to the ball and driving it into the net to put the United up by a goal at halftime It marked just the second goal the Aurora had surrendered at home all season Minnesota managed to keep the pressure on in the second half including three shots that sailed high of the net in extra time but could not find a way to get the ball past Rath Related Articles Saige Wimes late goal sends Aurora FC into USL W-League semifinals Aurora win playoff opener at Pittsburgh