CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team officially opened up practice this week. The Golden Eagles are in their 14^th season under the leadership of Head Coach Mike Roysland. Minnesota Crookston finished 2018-19 with a 10-19 (5-17 NSIC) mark. The Golden Eagles started last season with a 5-0 mark, as they received votes for the first time in the Central Region poll.

Minnesota Crookston has a strong core returning as the Golden Eagles return 11 letter winners from last season's squad. The Golden Eagles return five players with starting experience from last season. Minnesota Crookston's leading returning scorer is Kylie Post (So., G, Corcoran, Minn.), who had a strong debut season, averaging 8.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Abby Guidinger (Jr., G/F, Waukesha, Wis.) is back after notching 8.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Paige Weakley (Sr., G/F, Kearney, Mo.) returns after tallying 6.4 points per game and shooting 39.8 percent from beyond the arc. Paige Cornale (So., G/F, Oak Creek, Wis.) also is back after notching 4.8 points per game and hitting at a 47.8 percent clip from distance. Bren Fox (So., F/C, Norwood Young America, Minn.) also returns as a presence in the post after notching 4.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game as a freshman.

In addition, the Golden Eagles return several other key pieces from last season who are right there in the fray. Stephanie McWilliams (Sr., G, Grand Forks, N.D., Julia Peplinski (So., F/C, Hustisford, Wis.), Kylea Praska (So., G, Thief River Falls, Minn.), Ashley Freund (Jr., F, Jordan, Minn.), and Amber Schoenicke (Sr., F, Marshall, Wis.) all saw considerable minutes last season. In addition, Mary Burke (R-Fr., F, Virginia, Minn.) returns after missing all but two games due to injury.

The Golden Eagles also welcome in several newcomers who will compete for Minnesota Crookston. Alyssa Peterson (Fr., G, Menahga, Minn.), Mattea Vetsch (Fr., G, Devils Lake, N.D.), Emma Carpenter (Fr., G, Eagan, Minn.), Veronica Schwartz (Fr., F, Parkers Prairie, Minn.), and Jennifer Lax (Jr., G/F, Sleepy Eye, Minn.) all join the efforts for Minnesota Crookston.

The Golden Eagles will look to have a lot of depth in 2019-20. Minnesota Crookston opens the regular-season Fri., Nov. 8 at University of Nebraska-Kearney. They play their first exhibition at Lysaker Gymnasium Wed., Oct. 30 at 6 p.m., against Concordia College.