Photo by Samantha Davis. Marshall senior midfielder and defender Autumn Deutz (right) runs to take possession of the ball against Minnehaha Academy Friday night in the Tigers’ home opener. Marshall fell short 3-0.

MARSHALL — Despite a competitive effort back in front of its home crowd for the 2025 season, the Marshall girls soccer team fell short in its home opener 3-0 to Minnehaha Academy Friday night in a non-conference matchup. 

“We kept up with them. They’re aggressive, and we were able to fight back,” junior defender Kathryn Gordon said. “We held ourselves pretty good.” 

Marshall had a few good looks offensively throughout the night with a handful of strong defensive stops, but Minnehaha’s offense ultimately flustered the Tigers with scoring two goals in the last minutes of the first half and one more in the second, while holding them off the rest of the way. 

Led by second-year head coach Matt Versaevel, the Tigers again return a large group of young talent on this season’s roster with eight freshmen and a trio of eighth graders. But, Marshall graduated seven seniors, five of which were defenders. 

“We lost a lot of seniors, but we came back really strong,” Gordon said. “It’s [the roster adjustment] been really good. I don’t think we went back really any bit … We definitely miss them [last year’s seniors], but we’re doing good.” 

The Tigers are led by its two seniors this year in defender Abbey Foley, and midfielder and defender Autumn Deutz. 

“I’m excited [for the season],” junior midfielder Abby Wing said. “I’m excited to see us grow and work together … We’ll give girls the opportunity to step up as leaders amongst each other.”  

Wing and Gordon are two of the team’s captains this season. 

Looking to continue building off its team chemistry and make further strides, Marshall finished its 2024 campaign 6-8-2 overall and was eliminated in the Section 2AA quarterfinals with a 4-0 loss to St. Peter. 

Marshall held off Minnehaha for a large part of the first half and had a string of solid offensive looks, but the Redhawks began to control the first 40 minutes about midway through with continuing to get the ball into the Tigers’ territory. 

Marshall’s defense also had some highlight moments, including a few blocks and interceptions from Gordon, Deutz and Emma DeGroot. 

“We have gotten really strong. We switched our formation, and I think it’s really working for us,” Gordon said. “We got two freshmen on our back line, and then me. So, we work really well together. Our two defensive-mids are also very young, but very strong.” 

Sophomore Emma Messenbrink was in the net for Marshall the entirety of the game. 

Sophomore forward Elsie Deutz put herself into Minnehaha’s attacking third and near scoring position on a few occasions, but the Redhawks’ defense also remained sound for a majority of the game. 

Just minutes away from keeping the game scoreless at the half, Minnehaha’s offense began to overpower Marshall for a pair of goals in the 36th and 38th minute. 

The Redhawks crashed simultaneously toward Marshall’s net for the first goal, sending the ball into the back-right corner, and the second was scored quickly after with Minnehaha keeping possession in its control. 

Gordon said the team wants to improve on their offensive attack more, and Wing added specifically that connecting in midfield is another strategy they want to work on. 

With the clock winding down in the first, the Redhawks got close to deepening its lead with two more shot attempts, but Marshall’s DeGroot blocked both looks just in front of the net to prevent the shots. 

Not letting go of its lead while still chipping away, Minnehaha continued to limit Marshall throughout the second half in getting a comeback attempt started. The Redhawks scored one more goal on the night with just over 18 minutes to go in the game. 

Marshall had a few opportunities on the offensive end and brought the ball into the Redhawks’ end, but Minnehaha’s defense in return also was persistent up until the final horn. 

Prior to Friday’s home opener, Marshall first got its season started on Thursday in a 7-0 loss to St. Cloud Apollo on the road. 

The Tigers (0-2) will next open Big South conference play when they travel to take on Waseca on Tuesday at 7 p.m. 

“They’re [Waseca] going to be a tough game, they’re aggressive, too,” Gordon said. “But, I think we got it this year.”