Duluth, Minn. - A storied Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament run brought the Bulldogs (16-4-1) the second seed and their first-ever opportunity to host NCAA Division II Central Regional action. A storied run by NSIC foe and the region's fifth-seed Southwest Minnesota State through the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, paired with UMD's first ever postseason victory, a 1-0 defensive battle against Winona State University, lands the Bulldogs back in the seat of host next week when the Central and Great Lakes regions come together for the next round of NCAA II Postseason play.

Senior forward Dani Potter netted her 12th goal of the season and sophomore goalkeeper Marissa Rosa earned her sixth shutout of the year to propel the Bulldogs past Winona State and into the Central region final. The fierce winds blowing through Malosky Stadium grabbed Potter's high-arcing shot and carried it over the outstreched arms of WSU goalkeeper Alexandra Vial. "It wasn't completely planned," Potter confessed after the match - but fortune was, once again, in UMD's favor.

Rosa made seven saves to preserve the shutout and was aggressive all afternoon, to the point a pair of balls slipped past her allowing good opportunities for the Warriors. "I always have total faith in my back four. They are always solid," Rosa said. The defense allowed just half of WSU's shots (14) to get on-target, clearing out several chances before they developed. "I was comfortable," head coach Greg Cane denied being nervous. "I'm sure the players were a little edgy, or maybe [the media] was."

The Bulldogs finished with ten shots, including four on-net. Junior forward Maureen Stormont had five herself.

UMD now awaits the regional final in Duluth. The Bulldogs host NSIC foe Southwest Minnesota at 2:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon. The Great Lakes region final will precede UMD's match at Malosky Stadium and is slated for 11:00 a.m.