Morgan Fiedler’s two goals lift top-ranked Aberdeen Central over Sioux Falls Roosevelt

The elements weren’t on Aberdeen Central’s side during Saturday’s match against Sioux Falls Roosevelt, but the top-ranked Golden Eagles proved why they consistently earned the No. 1 spot in the state. 

Switching up their game plan to accommodate the high winds, Central secured their eighth win on the season in a 2-0 shutout.  

Momentum was harder for both teams to find in the first half as they struggled to figure each other out as each shot struggled to get through in the wind. Central readjusted to shooting from the outside, something they hadn’t played more of prior in the season.  

“We did a good job of breaking them down, but on a regular day without the wind, we’d probably get a few more opportunities,” Central head coach Merle Aske said. 

Persistence eventually paid off. Sophomore midfielder Kailyn Poppen immediately made an impact when she entered into the game midway through the half. Poppen earned a giveaway in the middle of the field, passed over to an open Morgan Fiedler who then fired a long range shot past Roosevelt keeper Sadie Hunter at the 26th minute.

“The biggest thing on days like today, you just got to fight through it because both teams got to play against the wind. It’s really tough to maintain possession, but when you have the wind, you got to take advantage of it. When you go against it, you know you’re going to take a lot of pressure and it’s basically not giving them clear looks,” Aske said. “We didn’t let them get their head up and get a look at the goal.” 

Roosevelt had a few good looks in the second half, including a free kick that bounced off the crossbar. But senior goalkeeper Paige Burlivich’s earned fifth clean sheet of the season as she made 10 saves, including a sprawling stop on forward Ava Steffen in the first half.  

Fiedler took the pressure off Central’s back in the second half when she launched on a breakaway and beat out two Roosevelt defenders for her second goal of the game. Fiedler leads Central with 13 goals.  

Central displayed their depth in the game, playing without junior midfielder Taryn Hettich, who had to be at a family event, along with losing senior defender Alyce Laverdure in the 54th minute of the game. While Hettich will be ready to go for Tuesday’s game against Watertown, Laverdure’s condition will still be evaluated.  

“That’s why we work so many girls and have so many girls on the bench so that they know if they are called on, they have to be ready to go. The girls filling in today did a great job of stepping in today and playing those minutes for us,” Aske said.