• THE MINNESOTA CROOKSTON women's soccer team is coming off a 2-1 win over Waldorf to open the 2022 season last season at home. The Golden Eagles picked up their first season-opening victory since 2016 when they defeated Minnesota State University Moorhead 1-0. The Golden Eagles are looking to build off the positive momentum heading into a tough road weekend against Michigan Technological University and Northern Michigan University. The Golden Eagles will take on Michigan Tech in Houghton, Mich. Friday, September 2 at 6 p.m. C.T. They wrap up their weekend Sunday, September 4 at Northern Michigan at 11 a.m. C.T. in Marquette, Mich. The Wildcats are receiving votes in the national poll.

• ALYSSA WITH THE GOAL. Alyssa Pavlacic, a senior defender, scored her first career-goal, a game-winner to send the Golden Eagles to a 2-1 victory over Waldorf. Pavalcic scored in the 85th minute off a corner kick. Pavlacic will look to make an impact on both the defensive and offensive ends this season. Her main role will be to help keep the Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech defenses from scoring this weekend. 

• CAN'T STOP, WON'T STOP. Sophomore Abby Fettinger continues to transition from being more of a defensive player to the offensive end, but her speed is a threat. Fettinger showed that against Waldorf as she tested the Warrior defense throughout the 90 minutes on the UMN Crookston Soccer pitch. Fettinger scored the first goal of the season and is looking to build off the tally heading into an important non-conference weekend in the Upper Peninsula.

• 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. 
VanOverbeke had a nice start to the 2022 campaign as she helped the Golden Eagle defense hold Waldorf to one goal last Sunday.  

• 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.

• BRAINERD IN GOAL.  The Golden Eagles have four goalkeepers on their 2022 roster. Kathryn Brainerd got the first nod in net last Sunday versus Waldorf. Brainerd finished the day with one goal against and two saves. Brainerd will look to build off the solid outing. Minnesota Crookston has three other goalies on the roster with Emma Stempien, Abby Olsen, and Brooklyn Fischbach. The quartet will battle to see who will get the nod in this weekend's games in the Upper Peninsula. 

• MO-MENTUM.  Morgan Laplante led Minnesota Crookston in goals last season with three, and she proved to be an offensive weapon again last weekend against Waldorf. Laplante had two assists on the game and generated opportunities for UMN Crookston. She will be a crucial piece this weekend. 

• FRESHMEN.  Minnesota Crookston had three freshmen start last Sunday against Waldorf. Both Julia Finch and Uda Kimba played all 90 minutes against the Warriors, while Sarah Burgum picked up an assist in her first career game. Off the bench, UMN Crookston obtained crucial minutes from Britney Le and Tayettin Brodzinski. All five will factor in this weekend against the Huskies and Wildcats.

• SCOUTING MICHIGAN TECH. Michigan Tech opened up the season by splitting the weekend against NSIC foes University of Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State University. The Huskies lost to Minnesota Duluth 2-1, and defeated St. Cloud State 2-0. Michigan Tech had more shots than Minnesota Duluth (20-10) but were only able to put one opportunity away. Neve Badalow scored the only goal for the Huskies in the game. In goal, Gracie VanLangevelde faced five shots on goal, allowing two goals. In the St. Cloud State game, Michigan Tech had just eight shots compared to seven for St. Cloud State in a defensive game. Michigan Tech picked up a goal from Haley Ruiter off an assist from Taylor Noble in the 54th minute. They put the game away in the 70th minute when Alyvia Sanom scored off an assist from Makenna Sanom. In goal, VanLangevelde faced just three shots on goal, and put up a clean sheet. 

• SCOUTING NORTHERN MICHIGAN. Northern Michigan comes into the weekend with an unblemished 2-0 mark. They are receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll. The Wildcats have put up two clean sheets in goal led by Shenae Kreps. Kreps hasn't been tested a lot in the early going, as she has just four saves. In a 2-0 win over St. Cloud State, Northern Michigan had 13 shots, compared to seven for the Huskies. They were guided by goals from Brenna Musser and Justina L'Esperance. In a 3-0 win over Minnesota Duluth, Northern Michigan had 17 shots compared to eight for Minnesota Duluth. The Wildcats picked up goals from Rachael Erste, Stephanie Trujillo, and L'Esperance, who tallied her second of the season. 

GAMEDAY
MINNESOTA CROOKSTON AT MICHIGAN TECH
DATE: Fri., Sept. 2
TIME: 6 p.m. C.T.
SITE: Houghton, Mich.
FIELD: Kearly Stadium
LIVE STATS: https://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/wsoc/2022-23/boxscores/20220902_uirj.xml
LIVE VIDEO: https://www.flofc.com/events/7947757-2022-minnesota-crookston-vs-michigan-tech-womens
TWITTER: @UMNCrookstonATH/@UMNCrookstonSOC

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON AT NORTHERN MICHIGAN
DATE: Sun., Sept. 4
TIME: 11 a.m. C.T.
SITE: Marquette, Mich.
FIELD: NMU Soccer Field
LIVE STATS: https://nmuwildcats.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
LIVE VIDEO: https://my.flosports.tv/partner/gliac?utm_campaign=gliac&utm_medium=partner&utm_source=teams&utm_content=teams&utm_term=northernmichigan&rtid=&coverage_id=&utm_campaign=partner&utm_medium=teams&utm_source=teams&utm_content=northernmichigan&utm_term=&rtid=&coverage_id=https://my.flosports.tv/partner/gliac
TWITTER: @UMNCrookstonATH/@UMNCrookstonSOC

KEYS TO THE WEEKEND

- Can the Golden Eagles slow down Northern Michigan and limit their chances?

- Can Minnesota Crookston use their speed up front to create opportunities on the offensive end?

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

- Who will strike first in the Michigan Tech game?

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
Projected Starters
Sr. GK 1 Kathryn Brainerd (5-7, Corcoran, Minn.) 1.00 GAA, 2 saves
So. D 23 Jada VanOverbeke (5-6, Hartford, S.D.) 1 start, 90 minutes
Sr. D 8 Alyssa Pavlacic (5-9, St. Charles, Mo.) 1 goal, 0 assists
Fr. D 3 Julia Finch (5-6, Woodbury, Minn.) 1 start, 90 minutes
So. D 6 Lanie Padelford (5-1, Mahtomedi, Minn.) 1 start, 59 minutes
Sr. MF 22 Ashley Chomyn (5-5, Winnipeg, Manitoba) 1 start, 75 minutes
R-Fr. MF 2 Jenna Custer (5-2, Queen Creek, Ariz.) 0 goals, 1 assist
Fr. MF 9 Uda Kimba (5-5, Rock Island, Ill.) 1 start, 90 minutes
So. F 15 Abby Fettinger (5-5, White Bear Lake, Minn.) 1 goal, 0 assists
Sr. F 19 Morgan Laplante (Sr., 5-9, De Soto, Kan.) 0 goals, 2 assists
Fr. F 12 Sarah Burgum (5-10, Mandan, N.D.) 0 goals, 1 assist

MICHIGAN TECH
Projected Starters
Sr. GK 1 Gracie VanLangevelde (5-8, Spring Lake, Mich.) 1.00 GAA, 6 saves
Jr. D 2 Molly Bolang (5-6, Pinckney, Mich.) 2 starts
Jr. D 8 Cassie Bonifas (5-7, Pinckney, Mich.) 2 starts
Sr. D 9 Alicia Shatrau (5-3, Brighton, Mich.) 2 starts
R-Fr. D 18 Ella Roach (5-2, Minnetonka, Minn.) 1 start
Sr. MF 27 Stephanie Yeager (5-3, New Boston, Mich.) 2 starts
Fr. MF 21 Jordan Noble (5-4, Boyne City, Mich.) 2 starts
Sr. MF 3 Neve Badalow (5-4, Davisburg, Mich.) 1 goal, 0 assists
Sr. F 28 Haley Ruiter (5-9, Muskegon, Mich.) 1 goal, 0 assists
So. F 13 Julia Pietila (5-7, Hartland, Mich.) 2 starts
Fr. F 16 Taylor Noble (5-4, Boyne City, Mich.) 0 goals, 1 assist

NORTHERN MICHIGAN
Projected Starters
Sr. GK 1 Shenae Kreps (5-7, Nampa, Idaho) 0.00 GAA, 4 saves
Sr. D 15 Natalie Stampfly (5-5, Stevensville, Mich.) 2 starts
Sr. D 16 Rachael Erste  (5-3, Rockford, Mich.) 1 goals, 0 assists
Jr. D 17 Gwen Kiilunen (5-3, Brighton, Mich.) 2 starts
R-So. MF 5 Brooke Pietila (5-7, Brighton, Mich.) 0 goals, 1 assist
So. MF 10 Maria Storm (5-4, Hartland, Mich.) 2 starts
So. MF 22 Justina L'Esperance (5-7, Howell, Mich.) 2 goals, 0 assists
Jr. F 6 Brenna Musser  (5-5, Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1 goal, 0 assists
R-So. F 9 Stephanie Trujillo (5-4, Gilroy, Calif.) 1 goal, 0 assists
Jr. F 27 Isabelle Brusilow (5-3, Grosse Point, Mich.) 2 starts
Fr. F 31 Molly Pistorius (5-7, Park Ridge, Ill.) 0 goals, 1 assist