Photo courtesy of Harrison Law and Duluth FC.
June 3 Games
Dakota Fusion 1-5 Duluth FC
Last season, the Dakota Fusion proved to be an important obstacle for Duluth FC, defeating the BlueGreens 3-1 at home to help setup Med City’s first ever NPSL North Conference title win in 2022, making Rochester history.
Duluth wrote a very different story on June 3, 2023, dominating the Fusion to make it six wins in six games. It all started with three goals in the first 30 minutes from right back Stefan Roeb (2) and Tyler Limmer.
It was 4-0 by halftime, however, with Kostyantyn Domaratskyy adding a big goal of his own. Duluth were in control in every way by the start of the second half, though the Fusion did flip the script briefly with a goal from Shoki Yoshida.
Paul Bobai scored a final goal for Duluth, ending the game at 5-1. Domaratskyy now sat at five goals for the season, while Limmer was Duluth’s second top goalscorer with four.
Joy Athletic 5-3 Minnesota TwinStars
Joy Athletic made a bit of a statement in terms of who stands top of the Twin Cities metro in the NPSL North with a 5-3 win over the visiting TwinStars to move into second place. Miguel Arellano, Famade Bamba, and Anthony Mator all scored for the TwinStars, but Joy were able to remain in control with a hat trick from Zinedine Kroeten and one goal each from Spencer Enright and David Riera.
La Crosse Aris 2-1 Sioux Falls Thunder
La Crosse Aris got on the scoreboard and into the points on June 3rd as they beat the Thunder at home with goals from Stan Cargill and Anfernee Stokes. The result gave Aris their first points of the season and reflected the general improved form the club has shown in recent seasons, while keeping the difficult process going for the Thunder, who were without a point this season after this loss.
June 8 Games
La Crosse Aris 0-6 Dakota Fusion
The magic didn’t quite last for La Crosse Aris, who then lost in a big way at home to the Fusion on June 8. The Fusion look to be amongst the best in the conference this week and, despite a tough loss to Duluth, seem like a threat heading into the playoff push. Yu Tsukanome scored a hat trick in this game and looks like the Fusion’s key upfront. The Japanese forward has the most goals (7) in the North as of now.
June 11 Games
Duluth FC 5-0 La Crosse Aris
The goals continued for Duluth on June 11, days after their 1-1 draw with Minnesota United’s U19’s in the Minnesota Super Cup. It was Duluth’s only goalscorer, Tyler Limmer, that night that opened the scoring against Aris. His counterattack goal, assisted by Liam Pritchard, opened the gates for the BlueGreens.
Aris, however, defended well and held it to 1-0 at halftime. Duluth answered strongly in the second half with four goals, the first coming from Conor Behan, his first for the club. Felipe Santos scored his first two goals for Duluth FC and Andres Solares scored a penalty kick to add up the tally and put Duluth 5-0 ahead.
The win means Duluth have seven wins in seven NPSL North games, leading the table with 21 points. The club are just five points from confirming a spot in the NPSL North playoffs.
Minnesota TwinStars 3-3 Sioux Falls Thunder
The TwinStars and Thunder played in an instant classic on June 10, eventually sharing a point each after a six goal thriller. Anthony Mator and Diego Yang gave the TwinStars an early 2-0 with a goal for each, Yang’s a particularly impressive curling shot.
Marcus Horwood scored before halftime to make it 2-1, but Sadra Golzarian got the next goal for the TwinStars to make it 3-1. However, in the last seven minutes, Ryushiro Morita and Horwood both scored for Sioux Falls to end it at 3-3. It was the Thunder’s first point of the season.
Med City 4-0 Joy Athletic
After a difficult stretch, Med City have roared back into action, adding to a recent impressive win over St. Croix Legends in the Minnesota Super Cup with a 4-0 win over Joy Athletic to climb back up the table. Scott Neil continues to be a huge threat for the Mayhem and scored another goal for the year against Joy, while Henry Tolbert added a brace.
The NPSL North Table as of June 12:
David Naylor 
Jeremy Rushing