CROOKSTON, Minn. - THE MINNESOTA CROOKSTON women's soccer team remains at home Friday, September 16 and Sunday, September 18 to host Concordia University-St. Paul and #16 Minnesota State University. Minnesota Crookston is searching for their second win of the season. The Golden Eagles are looking to reach two or more wins for the first time since 2016 when they obtained three victories. The Golden Eagles are 1-4 (0-2 NSIC) in 2022. Concordia-St. Paul enters Crookston with a 1-3-1 (1-1 NSIC) mark. Minnesota State is ranked 16th in the nation. They lead the NSIC with a 4-1 (2-0 NSIC) mark.

• HOME PITCH. Minnesota Crookston is continuing a four-game home stand at the UMN Crookston Soccer Field with games against the Golden Bears and Mavericks. Minnesota Crookston fell in a close 1-0 battle with Minnesota State University Moorhead last Friday as the Dragons reclaimed the Highway 75 Rivalry Rock. UMN Crookston fell 4-0 Sunday to Northern State University. Minnesota Crookston is looking to get back on track.

• BRAINERD IN GOAL. Senior Goalie Kathryn Brainerd transitioned back to goalie in 2022 after playing in the field as a junior in 2021. The former member of the U.S. Navy has started the season out in fine fashion. Brainerd has posted a 1.75 goals against average this season. Brainerd has 23 saves and a .767 saves percentage. Brainerd will look to continue to be strong in net for Minnesota Crookston moving forward. 

• 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 has already started the first five games and has played all 450 minutes 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 looks poised to make an impact in 2022. Fettinger's speed in front is crucial. Fettinger has a goal in 2022. She comes into the weekend with four shots, three of which have come on goal. 

• 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. Laplante has two assists in 2022, assisting on both goals against Waldorf. She is the co-leader on the team with five shots on goal. 

• GAME-WINNER.  Alyssa Pavlacic scored her first goal of her career as a Golden Eagle, proving to be the game winner against Waldorf. Pavlacic plays mostly in back but will be a threat with her size on set pieces. 

• 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 five games. Sarah Burgum has started one game and has an assist for UMN Crookston. Tayettin Brodzinski and Brittney Le have each played key roles off the bench for Minnesota Crookston.

• TRANSFERS.  Ellerie Tarbox, a Division II transfer from Missouri Western State University, and Jenna Custer, a transfer from Division I Grand Canyon University, have been crucial pieces for the Golden Eagles. Both players joined the team at semester break last year and have key roles for the Golden Eagles. Tarbox has started four games and has five shots. Custer has started four games and has one assist and two shots on goal.  

• SCOUTING CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL. Concordia-St. Paul enters the weekend with a 1-3-1 (1-1 NSIC) record. Concordia-St. Paul's lone win came in conference play against Wayne State College 3-1. The Golden Bears have suffered losses to McKendree University, University of Wisconsin Parkside, and Augustana University. They earned a 1-1 tie with Rockhurst University to open the season. Concordia-St. Paul has four goals on 68 shot attempts. They have allowed six goals in 2022. The Golden Bears have generated 23 corners, compared to 19 for their opponents. Sophie Pawlyshyn leads the way with a goal and two assists. Katie Anderson enters the weekend with a goal and an assist, and leads the team with eight shots on goal. Corynn Grabau and Jada Cannady have also accounted for goals. In net, Ashlyn Waldon has started four games and has a 1.25 goals against average with 19 saves. 

• SCOUTING MINNESOTA STATE. The Mavericks lead the NSIC with a 4-1 mark and a 2-0 NSIC record. Minnesota State has victories over Missouri Southern State University, Grand Valley State University, Wayne State College, and Augustana University. Their lone loss came to No. 10 Central Oklahoma. Minnesota State is coming off an 18-3-2 mark in 2021. The Mavericks lost 4-3 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season.  Minnesota State is paced by two-time NSIC Player of the Year and All-American Jenny Vetter with four goals and one assist. Allie Williams has three goals and an assist. Maille Mathis has two goals and two assists, while Brynn Desens has two goals and an assist. Minnesota State has 14 goals, while allowing just four. They are averaging 18.2 shots per game. In goal, Mackenzie Rath has an 0.80 goals against average with 24 saves.

• DEEPER DIVE. Minnesota Crookston has two goals in 2022, while allowing 13. They are averaging 6.8 shots per game, while allowing 17.8 per game. The Golden Eagles have taken 11 corner kicks, while allowing 32. 

GAMEDAY

CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL at MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
DATE: Sun, Sept. 15
TIME: 3 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


#16 MINNESOTA STATE at MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
DATE: Sun, Sept. 17
TIME: 1 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.) 1.75 GAA, 23 saves
So. D 23 Jada VanOverbeke (5-6, Hartford, S.D.) 5 starts
Sr. D 8 Alyssa Pavlacic (5-9, St. Charles, Mo.) 1 goal, 0 assists
Fr. D 3 Julia Finch (5-6, Woodbury, Minn.) 5 starts
Sr. D 22 Ashley Chomyn (5-5, Winnipeg, Manitoba) 5 starts
Jr. MF 7 Madelyn Teplansky (5-3, Apple Valley, Calif.) 4 starts
So. MF 6 Lanie Padelford (5-1, Mahtomedi, Minn.) 3 starts
Jr. MF 10 Jacqueline Calderon (5-3, Indio, Calif.) 1 start
Fr. F 9 Uda Kimba (5-5, Rock Island, Ill.) 5 starts
So. F 15 Abby Fettinger (5-5, White Bear Lake, Minn.) 1 goal, 0 assists
So. F 5 Ellerie Tarbox (5-8, Carter Lake, Iowa) 4 starts

CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL
Projected Starters
GK 99 Ashlyn Waldon 1.25 GAA, 19 saves
Jr. D 10 Harper Smoot (5-9, Sioux Falls, S.D.) 0 goals, 1 assist
Jr. D 11 Tori Miller (5-5, Bloomington, Minn.) 5 starts
So. D 26 Haley Rudebusch (5-8, Apple Valley, Minn.) 5 starts
Jr. MF 2 Mackenzie Leibiger (5-5, Sussex, Wis.) 5 starts
So. MF 3 Brittany Bordson (5-4, Lino Lakes, Minn.) 5 starts
So. MF 12 Leah Engh (5-7, Eden Prairie, Minn.) 2 starts
Jr. MF 14 Sophie Pawlyshyn (5-5, Chanhassen, Minn.) 1 goal, 2 assists
Jr. MF 23 Jessica Timpane (5-6, St. Cloud, Minn.) 5 starts
So. F 15 Corynn Grabau (5-6, Andover, Minn.) 1 goal, 1 assist
Jr. F 20 Katie Anderson  (5-8, San Diego, Calif.) 1 goal, 1 assist

MINNESOTA STATE
Projected Starters
Sr. GK 0 Mackenzie Rath (5-9, Pierre, S.D.) 0.80 GAA, 24 saves
Jr. D 22 Molly Mosher  (5-7, Centerville, Iowa) 5 starts
So. D 24 Natalie Thoen (5-7, Ames, Iowa) 5 starts
Fr. D 27 Courtney Kovacs (5-6, Ankeny, Iowa) 5 starts
Sr. D 23 Olivia Thoen (5-8, Ames, Iowa) 0 goals, 1 assist
Sr. MF 5 Allie Williams (5-6, Waukee, Iowa) 3 goals, 1 assist
Sr. MF 10 Brynn Desens (5-7, Appleton, Wis.) 2 goals, 1 assist
So. MF 13 Ashlyn Watt (5-4, Adel, Iowa) 5 starts
So. MF 29 Maille Mathis (5-3, Brooklyn Park, Minn. 2 goals, 2 assists
Sr. MF 31 Nadia Lowery (5-4, Rochester, Minn. 1 goal, 0 assist
Sr. F 4 Jenny Vetter (5-4, Mankato, Minn.) 4 goals, 1 assist

KEYS TO THE WEEKEND

- Can the Golden Eagles get some wins on their home field?

- Who will strike first in both games?

- Can Minnesota Crookston slow down two-time NSIC 
Offensive Player of the Year Jenny Vetter for Minnesota State?

- Can the Golden Eagles get momentum early against Concordia-St. Paul?

- Can the Golden Eagles generate more chances on the offensive half?