Wind gusts of more than 50 miles per hour Friday at Bronson Field -- the home of UND women's soccer -- were enough to momentarily knock out power next door at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Those breezy conditions still weren't enough to hold back Natalie Young and Utah Valley.
Young scored into the wind with her second goal of the game in the 84th minute to lift Utah Valley to a 3-2 win over the Sioux in Great West Conference play.
"The wind had a big effect on both teams," Wolverines coach Brent Anderson said. "We were pretty lucky to come away with the win."
Utah Valley improved to 6-6 overall and 1-0 in the Great West. The Sioux dropped to 4-6-3 overall and 1-1-1 in the league.
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The match's first four goals were scored with the wind at each team's back. Utah Valley received first-half goals from Young at 3:46 and Haley Curtis at 30:01.
The Sioux would even it at 2 with second-half goals from Megan Anderson at 51:13 and Rhaya Ballon at 63:56.
But despite holding possession most of the second half, the Wolverines took advantage of a rare offensive opportunity into the wind.
A long pass by Lexi Dunn was held up in the stiff wind, allowing Young to track it down.
As Young arrived at the ball along the left side of the field, she collided hard with a Sioux defender and both players collapsed to the grass.
Young's shot, her team-leading sixth goal of the year, beat Sioux goalie Kristi Hestdalen.
Young, a 5-foot-6 sophomore, wasn't able to celebrate the goal initially as the collision caused the forward to writhe in pain on the ground for a few moments.
"(Utah Valley) had a decent build up and found a player on the weak side," UND coach Kristin Gay said. "We weren't quick enough to shift over and our keeper was playing the near-side post."
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Anderson admitted the Wolverines bench was worried when Ballon scored on a rebound to even the score at 2.
"I was concerned," said Anderson, who has been named Great West Conference coach of the year the past two seasons. "That was a big shift in momentum to get those two goals. We were only able to create one or two scoring chances into the wind, but we ended up making the most of it."
The Wolverines, who have won the GWC West Division Championship the last two years, improved to 6-0-0 all-time against the Sioux.
UND, however, has left an impression on Anderson, who has been in Orem the past six seasons.
"I love playing North Dakota," Anderson said. "They bring out the best in us. They're always very challenging. Coach Gay is doing some good things here. We always know we're in for a close game with them. Every time it seems to come down to one point."
Utah Valley 3,
UND 2
Key play: Natalie Young's match-winning goal into the wind at 83:40.
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Key player: Young, two goals.
