Two first half goals and two second half goals propelled Aurora past River Light FC for Aurora's tenth win on the season and second over RLFC. An Ai Kitagawa brace kept her in the USLW Golden Boot race. And while Aurora did allow their first goal of the 2026 season, the story of the match was all Aurora's offence.
Coming into the final home match of the regular season off two days rest, Jen Larrick kept most of her side the same from Wednesday night's win over Sioux Falls. Only two players were swapped with Jeanette Fieldsend and Jelena Zbiljic, making her first start of the season, being the new faces in the eleven.
Northland Soccer Journal
Minnesota Aurora opened the match as they have all season, pushing a high press and forcing the opponents to play defence back deep. River Light countered by doing the same, forcing Aurora somewhat back to the drawing board. But Aurora was able to break down River Light's defence early to score the match opener. Following Flavie Dubé's through ball to Ai Kitagawa, she broke out all alone and flicked in a shot from just outside the six.
Just over six minutes later River Light scored the first goal on Aurora all season with a header that came off a quick flick from outside the box. But in stoppage time Aurora struck back and took the lead when Flavie Dubé notched a goal following a through ball from Kyra Karfonta.
Northland Soccer Journal
Once the two sides came back out for the second half, Minnesota Aurora showed who was in charge almost immediately. Ai Kitagawa notched her second of the match and 11th of the season, just six minutes into the second half.
Following Aurora's third goal the hosts put it into overdrive while River Light threw it in park to attempt to stop a fourth goal on the evening. RLFC did that for most of the second half, holding off Aurora until just past the 80th minute when Amelia Brown notched her first tally of the season.
The win has secured Minnesota Aurora their fifth consecutive Heartland Division championship and a spot in the 2026 USL W League Playoffs. Before the playoffs start Aurora has two more matches to play this season, both away from home. First up is a Tuesday match on 23 June at Rochester FC followed up by the season finale next Sunday at RKC Third Coast.
