Crookston, Minn.—Conference play is in full swing for the University of Minnesota Crookston women's soccer team, who will be looking forward to being at home for the first time this season.
 
Minnesota Crookston will host Minnesota-Duluth and St. Cloud State this weekend for two matches.
 
The Golden Eagles will look to get in the win column for the first time of 2018. Minnesota Crookston has played quality opponents this young season, and that should help as the Golden Eagles get set for Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.
 
It has been almost a week since Minnesota Crookston has seen the pitch in a match, and that was a 3-0 loss to nationally ranked Bemidji State. Overall, Minnesota Crookston comes in to the weekend at 0-4-0, and 0-1-0 in the conference.
 
Minnesota Crookston is a squad filled with youth, and those youngsters have stepped up in a big way early on in the season. Maggee Hodgdon (Fr., Newberg, Ore.) has been outstanding this season, leading the Golden Eagles with two goals, and four points. Sophomore Jessica Withrow (Gardnerville, Nev.) has also had a fast start to the season, with one goal, and two points. The youngsters will look to kick start the offense this weekend. Mataya Mierzejewski (Fr. Woodbury, Minn.) is a young player on the back end for the Golden Eagles who has been good early on in the season.
 
Olivia Puttin has been solid in net so far this season. The junior from Rogers, Minn., has been good. On the season, Puttin has started in three games, allowing nine goals, and having a save percentage of .804.
 
A Look at the Bulldogs
When: Friday, Sept. 14, 3:00 p.m.
Where: Crookston, Minn.
Opponent: University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs
The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs will make their way down highway 2 with a 1-3 record on the season. The Bulldogs have played quality opponents such as the University of North Dakota, and Michigan Tech University.
 
The Bulldogs (1-3-0, 0-1-0) will look to bounce back after a loss to St. Cloud State University. Head coach Greg Cane will be no stranger to Golden Eagle fans, as he heads in to his 25^th year as the head man. Cane is one of the winningest coaches in all of NCAA Division II, ranking 13^th with 266 wins roaming the sideline for UMD.
 
Nan Glinsek (Jr. Lino Lakes, Minn.) leads the way for Minnesota Duluth this season with three points in four games, including two points in the last match for the Bulldogs in a loss to Minnesota Crookston's Saturday opponent, St. Cloud State.
 
The Bulldogs will go as far as their goalkeeper will take them, and so far, the duo of Carlye Wright, and Sisley Ng have been solid. Wright has gotten three starts for UMD, and has played well in those starts, allowing just four goals and having a goals against average of 1.60. Ng has the experience being a senior, but has started one game this season.
 
A Look at the Huskies
When: Sunday, Sept. 16, 1:00 p.m.
Where: Crookston, Minn.
Opponent: St. Cloud State University Huskies
The Huskies (1-0-0, 1-2-1) come into the weekend ranked fifth in the NSIC, coming off of a win over Minnesota Duluth.
 
Head Coach Greta Arvesen is in her fifth year on the sideline for St. Cloud State. Arvesen comes from Central Michigan University.
 
The Huskies are led by Hannah Marion, and Maria Kass, who lead the Huskies with four points each. Combined, the two have scored four of the five Huskie goals on the young season.
St. Cloud State is a team with only five seniors on the roster, so much like Minnesota Crookston, youth is evident with many underclassmen.

Expect true freshman Zoe Welsh to get the start at goalkeeper for SCSU this Sunday. In three starts, Welsh has allowed six goals, and has made 25 saves with a .804 save percentage.