• THE MINNESOTA CROOKSTON women's soccer team will conclude the 2022 season Thursday, October 27 against No. 21 Bemidji State University. Minnesota Crookston comes into the weekend with a 2-14-1 (1-12-1 NSIC) mark. The Golden Eagles are looking to end their season on a strong note. UMN Crookston has improved in many ways during the 2022 season. They have increased their win total by one. Defensively, Minnesota Crookston is giving up almost one goal a game less than 2021, as they allowed 4.11 in 2021 and 3.18 in 2022. The game will be the final one for UMN Crookston seniors Morgan Laplante, Alyssa Pavlacic, Kathryn Brainerd, and Ashley Chomyn, though several of them could still use an extra year of eligibility if they so choose.

• BURGUM FINDS THE NET. Sarah Burgum found the back of the net for her first career goal against Sioux Falls October 14. Burgum put it away after a great set piece from Julia Finch, in which Lanie Padelford flicked it on to Burgum. Burgum has a goal and an assist as a freshman. The assists from Finch and Padelford were their first for the 2022 season.

• SENIORS. Minnesota Crookston seniors Morgan Laplante, Alyssa Pavlacic, Kathryn Brainerd, and Ashley Chomyn have meant a great deal to the program in its continued growth. Their leadership has been crucial on a young squad, as they prepare for the future.

• SAME SCRIPT. Both of Minnesota Crookston's wins in 2022 have had similar scripts. The Golden Eagles scored a goal in the first half from Abby Fettinger in both games against Waldorf and Upper Iowa. Early in the second half UMN Crookston gave up a goal to the opposition to knot up the game 1-1. Minnesota Crookston then picked up the decisive goal in each game from Alyssa Pavlacic to walk off with 2-1 victories. If it takes similar scripts to win more games this season I am sure Coach Halfpop and the team will be all for it. 

• BRAINERD IN GOAL. Senior Goalie Kathryn Brainerd transitioned back to goalie in 2022 after playing in the field as a junior in 2021. Brainerd has 15 starts, with a 2.81 goals against average and 96 saves. When Brainerd isn't starting, Brooklyn Fischbach has a 3.33 goals against average, while Emma Stempien has a 5.50 goals against average for the Golden Eagles.

• LOOK OUT FOR FETTY. Abby Fettinger was key offensively for the Golden Eagles in 2021. The sophomore made the transition from the back row to the front row as a freshman and has played both in more of an offensive role and as an outside back this season. Fettinger can use her speed to impact the game wherever she is playing. Fettinger has two goals during the 2022 season, in both wins for UMN Crookston. She picked up her most recent goal versus Upper Iowa University. She is tied for the team-lead with four points. Fettinger leads the squad with 13 shots. She has six shots on goal for the Golden Eagles.

• GAME-WINNER.  Alyssa Pavlacic scored her first goal of her career as a Golden Eagle, proving to be the game winner against Waldorf. Pavlacic followed up the Waldorf performance by scoring a game-winning goal over NSIC foe Upper Iowa over Homecoming weekend. Pavlacic has been clutch for the Golden Eagles during the 2022 season. She is tied for the team lead with four points. 

• FRESHMEN.  Minnesota Crookston has five freshmen who are playing crucial roles for the Golden Eagles in 2022. Uda Kimba and Julia Finch have each started all 17 games. Sarah Burgum has started 11 games and has a goal and one assist as a freshman. Tayettin Brodzinski and Britney Le have played key roles off the bench. 


• SCOUTING BEMIDJI STATE. Bemidji State is currently in second place in the NSIC standings. The Beavers hace become a perennial contender in the NSIC under Jim Stone, who is in his 21st year as head coach. Bemidji State is currently ranked 21st nationally. Bemidji State is averaging 1.41 goals per game, while allowing just 0.65 goals per game to their opponents. The Beavers are a very experienced squad. They are guided by fifth-year forward Sara Wendt, a 2021 All-American. Wendt has nine goals and two assists for Bemidji State. Allyson Smith comes into Thursday with five goals and three assists, while Erin Becker has four goals and three assists. In goal, Alyssa Stumbaugh has 11 starts, with a 0.82 goals against average, and 52 saves. Georgiana Harber has six starts, with a 0.33 goals against average, and 12 saves. 

GAMEDAY

BEMIDJI STATE AT MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
DATE: Thurs., Oct. 27
TIME: 2 p.m.
SITE: Crookston, Minn.
FIELD: UMN Crookston Soccer Field
LIVE STATS: https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
LIVE VIDEO: https://nsicnetwork.com/goldeneaglesports/
TWITTER: @UMNCrookstonATH/@UMNCrookstonSOC

WEEKLY SNAPSHOT

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
Projected Starters
Sr. GK 1 Kathryn Brainerd (5-7, Corcoran, Minn.) 2.81 GAA, 96 saves
So. D 23 Jada VanOverbeke (5-6, Hartford, S.D.) 15 starts
Fr. D 9 Uda Kimba (5-5, Rock Island, Ill.) 15 starts
So. D 5 Ellerie Tarbox (5-8, Carter Lake, Iowa) 10 starts
So. D 15 Abby Fettinger (5-5, White Bear Lake, Minn.) 2 goals, 0 assists
Fr. MF 3 Julia Finch (5-6, Woodbury, Minn.) 0 goals, 1 assist
Sr. MF 8 Alyssa Pavlacic (5-9, St. Charles, Mo.) 2 goals, 0 assists
Jr. MF 7 Madelyn Teplansky (5-3, Apple Valley, Calif.) 0 goals, 1 assist
So. MF 6 Lanie Padelford (5-1, Mahtomedi, Minn.) 0 goals, 1 assist
Sr. F 19 Morgan Laplante (5-9, De Soto, Kan.) 0 goals, 2 assists
Sr. F 22 Ashley Chomyn (5-5, Winnipeg, Manitoba) 0 goals, 1 assist

BEMIDJI STATE
Projected Starters
Sr. GK 00 Georgiana Harber (5-7, Villa Park, Calif.) 0.33 GAA, 12 saves
or Sr. GK 1 Alyssa Stumbaugh (5-7, Gillette, Wyo.) 0.82 GAA, 52 saves
Sr. D 2 Halle Peterson (5-7, Stillwater, Minn.) 0 goals, 1 assist
R-Sr. D 9 Megan Dahl (5-8, Rosemount, Minn.) 1 goal, 2 assists
So. D 19 Annika Fingal  (5-10, Saint Francis, Minn.) 12 starts
R-Sr. D 24 Megan Majewski (5-5, Burlington, Ill.) 0 goals, 3 assists
Jr. MF 17 Lauren Hodny (5-7, Moorhead, Minn.) 1 goal, 2 assists
So. MF 21 Maria Stocke (5-4, Andover, Minn.) 2 goals, 2 assists
Sr. MF 22 Maggie Cade (5-5, Lakeville, Minn.) 0 goals, 1 assist
R-Sr. F 11 Erin Becker (5-8, Andover, Minn.) 4 goals, 3 assists
R-Sr. F 14 Sara Wendt (5-10, Arden Hills, Minn.) 9 goals, 2 assists
R-Sr. F 15 Allyson Smith (5-7, Brainerd, Minn.) 5 goals, 3 assists

KEYS TO THE WEEKEND

- Can the Golden Eagles limit Bemidji State's Sara Wendt?

- Can Minnesota Crookston end the season on a strong note?

- Can the Golden Eagles score off set pieces?

- Who will step up defensively for UMN Crookston?

- Can the Golden Eagles play strong out of the gate?