• THE MINNESOTA CROOKSTON women's soccer team is looking to start the 2022 season out on the right foot Sunday in a non-conference game against Waldorf University at 11:30 a.m. Minnesota Crookston returns almost their entire roster from an improved 2021 team and have some talented young players that were brought into the fold in the offseason. The Golden Eagles are in their fourth season under Head Coach Kyle Halfpop. New to the sideline is Assistant Coach Neil Mancktelow, who used to be the boss at Mount Marty University. 

• IMPACT TRANSFERS. Minnesota Crookston had two impact transfers join the program in the winter with the 
additions of Ellerie Tarbox from Missouri Western State University and Jenna Custer from Division I Grand Canyon University. Both players had the chance to work with the team during the spring season and will look to make instant impacts on the pitch for the Golden Eagles.

• NEW FACES. The Golden Eagles have five freshmen that joined the team prior to the 2022 season. All five will look to play major roles on the team this season. Uda Kimba, Julia Finch, and Tayettin Brodzinski all started in UMN Crookston's home exhibition against the University of Jamestown, while Sarah Burgum and Britney Le both played meaningful minutes off the bench. It is a talented group that will help set the tone for the Golden Eagles in 2022. 

• ALL-CONFERENCE. Jada VanOverbeke became the program's first all-conference player since 2016, after a strong season in the back row for the Golden Eagles in 2021. VanOverbeke will be a tone setter from the back of the defense heading into the 2022 season. She will be crucial for UMN Crookston in protecting the goalies and helping to organize from the back.

• SENIORS. Minnesota Crookston has four seniors looking to go out on a strong note in their final campaigns in the Maroon and Gold. Ashley Chomyn is the most experienced of the bunch, entering her fourth season with the Golden Eagles. Alyssa Pavlacic is in her third season with the program, while Kathryn Brainerd and Morgan Laplante are both in their second seasons. All four will be crucial as leaders and players on the pitch for Minnesota Crookston.

• GOALKEEPERS.  The Golden Eagles have four goalkeepers on their 2022 roster. All four have been battling out in preseason for the starting nod for game one. Kathryn Brainerd and Brooklyn Fischbach both played in the field in 2021, but have moved back to their more natural positions. Abby Olsen saw the most time in net in 2021 with 13 starts, 113 saves, and a 3.83 goals against average. Emma Stempien started five games with a 4.62 goals against average, with 76 saves in 2021. Whoever starts in goal for UMN Crookston will be key.

• 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 looks poised to make an impact in 2021. Fettinger had two goals and two assists for Minnesota Crookston last season and will look to build on those numbers in 2022.

• GIVE IT TO MO.  Morgan Laplante led Minnesota Crookston in goals last season with three, and will look to build on those numbers heading into her senior campaign. 

• SCOUTING WALDORF. The Warriors are in their fifth season under Head Coach Lugo Arenas entering the 2022 campaign. Waldorf went 5-11 in 2021. Thus far in 2022, the Warriors are 0-1-1. They tied Graceland University 3-3 and fell 3-0 to the College of Saint Mary. Iveth Guzman, Mila Maciel, and Amber Williams led the Warriors with goals against Graceland. Maria Gonzalez has started in goal for Waldorf in both games, she comes in allowing three goals per game. Sydney Boyd returns as the leading goal scorer for the Warriors, she notched six points and two assists in 2021. Mikayla Smith is also back after tallying three goals and three assists. Daniela Benavides tallied two goals and one assists in 2021, while Adrianna Vargas had two goals and one assist. The Warriors return nine starters from the 2021 team. No player started all 13 games in 2021, while Smith started the most games with 12, and Araneg Leon Velasquez started 11 games. 

WALDORF at MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
DATE: Sun, Aug. 28
TIME: 11:30 a.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

KEYS TO THE WEEKEND

- Can the Golden Eagles keep Waldorf out of the net?

- Who will strike first?

- Can the bench play important minutes for the Golden Eagles?

- How will the newcomers perform in their first weekend of regular-season action?

- Who will step up in goal for the Golden Eagles in the first game of the regular season?

- How will the forecasted heat impact both teams?


WEEKLY SNAPSHOT

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
Projected Starters
Sr. GK 1 Kathryn Brainerd (5-7, Corcoran, Minn.)        Played in the field in 2022
So. D 23 Jada VanOverbeke (5-6, Hartford, S.D.)        2021 All-NSIC Second Team
Sr. D 8 Alyssa Pavlacic (5-9, St. Charles, Mo.)        Started 18 games in 2021
Fr. D 3 Julia Finch (5-6, Woodbury, Minn.)            Incoming freshman
Fr. D 34 Tayettin Brodzinski (5-11, Yelm, Wash.)        Incoming freshman
R-Fr. MF 2 Jenna Custer (5-2, Queen Creek, Ariz.)        Transfer from Division I Grand Canyon University
Fr. MF 9 Uda Kimba (5-5, Rock Island, Ill.)            Incoming freshman
Jr. MF 7 Madelyn Teplansky (5-3, Apple Valley, Calif.)        Started 18 games in 2021
So. MF 15 Abby Fettinger (5-5, White Bear Lake, Minn.)        2 goals, 2 assists in 2021
So. MF 5 Ellerie Tarbox (5-8, Carter Lake, Iowa)        Transfer from Division II Missouri Western State University
Sr. F 22 Ashley Chomyn (5-5, Winnipeg, Manitoba)        Started 12 games in 2021
Bench Players
So. GK 0 Emma Stempien (5-6, Plymouth, Mich.)        4.62 GAA, 76 Saves in 2021    
Jr. GK 40 Abby Olsen (5-6, Chisago City, Minn.)        3.83 GAA, 113 saves in 2021
So. GK 99 Brooklyn Fischbach (5-8, South St. Paul, Minn.)    Played in the field in 2021
Fr. MF 4 Britney Le (4-10, Lincoln, Neb.)            Incoming freshman
So. D/MF 6 Lanie Padelford (5-1, Mahtomedi, Minn.)        Started 18 games in 2021
Jr. MF 10 Jacqueline Calderon (5-3, Indio, Calif.)        0 goals, 2 assists in 2021
Fr. F 12 Sarah Burgum (5-10, Mandan, N.D.)            Incoming freshman
Sr. F 19 Morgan Laplante (5-9, De Soto, Kan.)        3 goals, 0 assists in 2021


WALDORF
Projected Starters
Jr. GK 13 Maria Gonzalez (5-5, Turlock, Calif.)        3.00 GAA, 11 saves
So. D 2 Zoe Silovich (5-5, Rock Springs, Wyo.)        Started 2 games in 2022
Jr. D 6 Larissa Santos (5-8, Sao Paulo, Brazil)        Started 1 game in 2022
Sr. D 16 Adrianna Vargas (5-3, Brighton, Colo.)        Started 2 games in 2022
Jr. D 21 Jadyn Nevaeh Ku'uleialoha Clark (5-6, Hilo, Hawai'i)    Started 2 games in 2022
Jr. MF 3 Mikayla Smith (5-6, Honolulu, Hawai'i)        Started 2 games in 2022
Sr. MF 10 Iveth Guzman (5-4, Mission, Texas)        1 goal, 0 assists in 2022
Fr. MF 14 Andrea Martinez (5-6, Orlando, Fla.)        Started 2 games in 2022
Sr. MF 23 Araneg Leon Velazquez (5-0, Santa Maria, Calif.)    Started 2 games in 2022
Sr. F 9 Autumn Petersen (5-7, Farmington, N.M.)        Started 2 games in 2022
Sr. F 22 Sydney Boyd (6-0, Aiea, Hawai'i)            0 goals, 1 assist in 2022
Bench Players
Sr. F 5 Katie Cooling (5-6, Mason City, Iowa)            Played in 2 games in 2022
Jr. MF 7 Gabby Bauman (5-6, Breaux Bridge, La.)        Started 1 game in 2022
Jr. F 8 Daniela Benavides (5-6, Lima, Peru)            0 goals, 1 assist in 2022
Fr. F 11 Mila Maciel (5-8, Tampa, Fla.)            1 goal, 0 assists in 2022
So. F 12 Olivia Cross (5-4, Coventry, England)        Played in 2 games in 2022
Fr. MF 15 Heidi Martinez (5-4, Orlando, Fla.)            Played in 2 games in 2022
Sr. MF 18 Amber Williams (5-3, Waipahu, Hawai'i)        1 goal, 0 assists in 2022
Fr. D 24 Kayleigh Webb (5-5, Rock Springs, Wyo.)        Played in 1 game in 2022
Fr. D 26 Emily Smith (5-5, Douglas, Wyo.)            Played in 1 game in 2022
Sr. D 27 Reyna Suarez (5-5, Santa Maria, Calif.)        Played in 1 game in 2022


TAILGATE
- Join UMC Teambackers for a pre-game tailgate starting at 10 a.m. at the UMN Crookston Soccer Field on Sunday, August 28.