After playing a neutral site match at Breese Stevens Field last season, Aurora trekked down I-94 for their first ever match against Rally Madison. The USL W League newcomers built their side with a heavy focus on Wisconsin natives and Division I talent. But two first half goals from the fifth season Minnesota Aurora side were enough to put the visitors over the top on Saturday night.
Coming off a massive 6–0 win against Rochester FC two days prior, manager Jen Larrick left the roster mostly intact. Only making two changes for Aurora, starting Maia Tabion (Columbia) & Haylee Mersereau (UCF) for Olivia Rush & Amelia Brown.
Giuliano Oliviero took a different approach for Rally Madison. With Rally coming off a 2–1 loss to River Light FC, the hosts made Five changes for their home opener.
Northland Soccer Journal
The fifth year side Minnesota Aurora only has two returning players for the 2026 season, but looks familiar as they retain their distinct play style. That style allowed the visitors to control the match immediately from the opening whistle. Four minutes into Thalia Morisi cut past Madison goalkeeper Malia Zillman at the penalty spot and tapped it in from near the six to score the opener.
Twenty-five minutes later, just before the half hour mark, Ai Kitagawa snatched her fourth goal of the season with a chip shot over Zillman to double Aurora's lead.
Northland Soccer Journal
"The way they played in the first half was eye opening for us." Rally Madison manager Giuliano Oliviero said to the media following the match. " We're gona get better. I thought we made some great adjustments in the second half to slow them down."
Halftime adjustments by Rally Madison absolutely paid off for the home side. While Aurora still controlled much of the match Madison did get a few very good chances to score, giving goalkeeper Taylor Fox some work to do. Minnesota's Flavie Dubé became the first player booked on the night, following a hard challenge in the 51st minute, showing how the intensity had changed in the second half.
The last 15 minutes saw Rally press hard to score at least one goal on the night coming particularly close on on a set piece in the 78th minute. After a heavy attack for Madison cleared out the back by Aurora, Rally earned a corner and show they are dangerous on set pieces. Corner was sent into the box and connected with, but just grazed wide preventing the hosts from scoring a late goal.
One more big chance came two minutes before stoppage time on a hard shot from outside the box, but that ended up going high over the bar. Despite the late match push Rally was unable to net a goal and fell 2–0 in their first home match. Aurora picked up their first away win of the season in the first of a three match away run.
We spoke to Aurora manager Jen Larrick following the match, where she praised the atmosphere and crowd in Madison as well as the team. You can watch our full interview with here below.
Northland Soccer Journal
Next up for Minnesota Aurora is an away match to Rockford Raptors on Thursday 28 May followed by an away match to River Light FC on Saturday 30 May. Kickoff on Thursday night is set for 7:00pm CT and can be watch on SportsEngine Play. Saturday's match at River Light is also viewable on SE Play and is set for a 2:00pm kickoff time.
