CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston soccer program will lift the lid on the 2023 campaign with two non-conference matches against Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference foes. The games will mark the official commencement of the Neil Mancktelow era as head coach. Minnesota Crookston played two exhibitions, both were wins, but this week's matches will mark the first regular-season contests.The Golden Eagles will head to Wayne State College Thursday, August 31 for a 2 p.m. meeting, and will host Minot State University Sunday, September 3 at 1 p.m.

The home debut will be Hawai'ian Shirt Night. The first 150 fans will receive a Golden Eagle flip flop keychain. It will be a day to celebrate summer by wearing your favorite Hawai'ian shirt or beach gear.

Minnesota Crookston at Wayne State
Thursday, August 31 - 2 p.m.

Wayne, Neb.
Live Stats - https://wscwildcats.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
Watch - https://nsicnetwork.com/wscwildcats/

Minot State at Minnesota Crookston
Sunday, September 3 - 1 p.m.
Crookston, Minn. - UMN Crookston Soccer Field
Live Stats - https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/woc/summary

Watch - https://nsicnetwork.com/goldeneaglesports/

Minnesota Crookston
The Golden Eagles went 2-0 in exhibition season with wins over the University of Jamestown and the University of Wisconsin-Superior. They are looking to continue the momentum into the regular-season slate. Minnesota Crookston went 2-15-1 during the 2022 campaign. They return 16 players from last season's roster and have seven newcomers on the 2023 roster. Minnesota Crookston is looking for a great start to the new era under Coach Mancktelow. Assistant Coach Morgan Philliber is in her first season with the team. Mancktelow was on the sideline last season as the assistant coach before his elevation in the offseason.

Abby Fettinger (Jr., MF, White Bear Lake, Minn.) led the Golden Eagles with two goals in 2022. Sarah Burgum (So., F, Mandan, N.D.) is Minnesota Crookston's Offensive Player to Watch in the NSIC. Burgum had one goal and one assist as a freshman. Ashley Chomyn (R-Sr., F, Winnipeg, Manitoba) returns for a fifth season for the Golden Eagles. Chomyn tallied an assist last season. In the back, Jada VanOverbeke (Jr., D, Hartford, S.D.) has been a staple defensively for Minnesota Crookston. VanOverbeke played every minute for the Golden Eagles last season and will be vital again in 2023. Minnesota Crookston will look to added contributions from newcomers and several returnees. Brooklyn Fischbach (Jr., F, South St. Paul, Minn.) and Burgum had goals in the exhibition against Jamestown.

In goal, Minnesota Crookston will look to Emma Stempien (Jr., GK, Plymouth, Mich.), and Abby Olsen (Sr., GK, Chisago City, Minn.). Stempien started two games as a sophomore. She had 24 saves. Olsen didn't play in a game in 2022, but started 13 in 2021 with a 3.83 goals against average.

Sisters

In addition to Jada VanOverbeke, Minnesota Crookston has added a newcomer with a familiar last name. Her sister Tessa VanOverbeke (Fr., D, Hartford, S.D.) is a freshman and is looking to make an impact in her debut season.

Wings Up from Winnipeg

Minnesota Crookston has continued their connection to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Chomyn comes back for her fifth season, while the Golden Eagles have added Kedin Geremiah (Fr., F, Winnipeg, Manitoba) to the roster. They are looking to both have strong impacts on the team. 

Debut

Neil Mancktelow is looking to become the first Golden Eagle coach with either a win or tie in his regular-season coaching debut since Richard Jones, who coached the Golden Eagles to a tie with Jamestown in 2009. 

Wayne State 

The Wildcats are coming off a 3-11-4 mark in 2022. They are coached by Emily Hester, who is in her third season. The Wildcats return Sidney Truman in net, who started four games and posted a 2.77 goals against average with 27 saves. 

Offensively, they bring back sophomore Reagan Allen, who notched three goals and an assist. Annika Syvrud is back after tallying three goals, while Leah Bennett scored a goal and had two helpers.

Minnesota Crookston tied Wayne State in 2017, 1-1, their last win over the Wildcats came in 2014 with a 3-1 result.

Minot State

The Beavers posted a 9-3-9 mark in 2022. They are in their first full season under T.J. Perez, after he held the interim title in 2022. 

Minot State returns Brooklyn Casey, who notched three goals in 2022. In addition, Anabel Noches is back after notching four assists last season.

In goal, the Beavers are relatively untested. Sophomore Maddie Elliott redshirted last season, while Siriana Gudino is in her first season with Minot State after transferring from Cypress College. 

Minnesota Crookston's last win over the Beavers was a 3-2 victory in 2019. 

First Games 

Minnesota Crookston's last win to open a regular season came Sept. 1, 2016 with a 1-0 result over Minnesota State University Moorhead.