Saige Wimes’ late goal sends Aurora to 1-0 playoff victory

The team advanced to the USL W League semifinals for the first time since its inaugural season of 2022.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
July 7, 2025 at 4:57AM
Minnesota Aurora players gather to celebrate after their 1-0 playoff victory over Cincinnati on Sunday in Pittsburgh. (Minnesota Aurora)

Saige Wimes scored in the 88th minute to lift the Aurora to a 1-0 victory over Kings Hammer FC Cincinnati in the quarterfinals of the USL W League playoffs Sunday in Pittsburgh.

The Aurora earned the Central Conference championship and advanced to the semifinals next weekend. The Aurora will play at home on Saturday night against Utah United, a 2-0 winner over host Stockton Cargo on Sunday night for the Western Conference championship.

It is the first time since the Aurora’s inaugural season in 2022 that they have advanced to the semifinals. That season, they lost to South Georgia in the league championship game.

For Wimes, it was her fifth goal of the season. She scored a goal in the first half of the Aurora’s 2-0 first-round playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Riveters on Friday.

The Aurora, who improved to 12-0-2 on the season, have given up the fewest goals (four) in the league this season.

Cincinnati, which went 7-0-3 in the regular season to win the Valley Division championship, was making its first appearance in the playoffs.

about the writer

about the writer

Joel Rippel

News Assistant

Joel Rippel writes about sports for the Star Tribune.

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