• THE MINNESOTA CROOKSTON women's soccer team is looking to start the conference season out in a strong way. The Golden Eagles went 1-2 in non-conference play, including a 2-1 win over Waldorf University. The Golden Eagles played
 Michigan Technological University tight last Friday, falling 1-0 against a tough side. Sunday, UMN Crookston struggled with a 6-0 loss to a strong program from Northern Michigan University. The Golden Eagles will open up NSIC play with four-straight home games, hosting Minnesota State University Moorhead, Northern State University, Concordia University-St. Paul, and Minnesota State University.

• RIVALRY ROCK. The Golden Eagles will battle the Dragons Friday for the 2022 edition of the Battle for the Highway 75 Rivalry Rock. The rock, which commemorates the 70 miles between Crookston and Moorhead on U.S. Highway 75, has been played on the soccer pitch since 2013. UMN Crookston is currently in possession of the rock after a 1-0 win over MSU 
Moorhead September 17, 2022. The series is tied 4-4-1 since they first started playing for the rock in 2013. Minnesota Crookston won back-to-back games in 2015 and 2016, while the Dragons claimed back-to-back wins in 2018 and 2019. 

• BRAINERD IN GOAL. Senior Goalie Kathryn Brainerd transitioned back to goalie in 2022 after playing in the field as a junior in 2021. She has started the season out in fine fashion. Brainerd has posted a 1.00 goals against average with 11 saves and a .846 saves percentage. Brainerd will look to keep the Dragons and the Wolves from scoring this weekend in Crookston.

• 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 three games and has played all 270 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. She comes into the weekend with a goal, two shots, and one shot on goal. We will look to generate offense for the Golden Eagles against the Dragons and Wolves.

• 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 leads the team with five shots in 2022.

• 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 three 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 two games and has two shots on goal. Custer has started all three games and has an assist.

• SCOUTING MSU MOORHEAD. The Dragons are led by Minnesota Crookston's top all-time soccer player Christie (Chappell) Kopietz. The UMN Crookston Hall of Famer is in her seventh season leading the Dragons. MSU Moorhead is 0-1 after falling on the road 3-0 to the University of Tampa. The Dragons are coming off a 1-15-2 mark in 2021. MSU Moorhead had seven shots, with no shots on goal against Tampa. Lilly Johnson, Jensen Seidel, and Allison Tharp each tallied two shots against Tampa. In goal, Simone Lewald has a 3.00 goals against average with one save on the season. MSU Moorhead has Crookston-native Olivia Huck rostered for the 2022 season.

• SCOUTING NORTHERN STATE. The Wolves have a 2-1 mark on the 2022 season. They have victories over Montana State University Billings and Black Hills State University. Northern State fell 1-0 last Sunday to Southwest Baptist University. Defense has been crucial for the Wolves in their first three games as all three have been one goal contests. Megan Fastenau and Mia Zagorski have accounted for Northern State's goals this season. Zoe Boughton and Summer Carlson each have assists. DeAnna LeMire leads the team with five shots. Northern State is averaging 12.3 shots per game, while their opponents are only averaging 8.0. In goal, Alexus Townsend leads the way with a 0.40 goals against average. She has allowed just one goal, with 12 saves, and a .923 saves percentage. Northern State is in their second season under Head Coach Bob Casper.

MSU MOORHEAD at MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
DATE: Sun, Sept. 9
TIME: 4 p.m.
SITE: Crookston, Minn.
FIELD: UMN Crookston Soccer Field
LIVE STATS: https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
LIVE VIDEO: https://nsicnetwork.com/goldeneaglesports/
PLAY BY PLAY: Hunter Plante
TWITTER: @UMNCrookstonATH/@UMNCrookstonSOC

NORTHERN STATE at MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
DATE: Sun, Sept. 11
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

KEYS TO THE WEEKEND

- Can the Golden Eagles keep the Highway 75 Rivalry Rock?

- Who will strike first in both games?

- Can Minnesota Crookston generate more offense this weekend?

- How will the newcomers perform this weekend against Northern State and MSU Moorhead?

- Who will step up in goal for the Golden Eagles in their first NSIC games of the season?