Women's Soccer | 10/16/2024 3:41:00 PM

• THE MINNESOTA CROOKSTON soccer team enters their home weekend with a 1-8-2 (1-5-1 NSIC) mark. Minnesota Crookston is coming off a 2-2 tie with Minnesota State University Moorhead last Friday in the battle for the Highway 75 Rivalry Rock. The Golden Eagles fell Sunday 3-0 to Northern State University. The Golden Eagles are currently in a four-way tie with Southwest Minnesota State, MSU Moorhead, and Minnesota Duluth for 12th place. Minnesota Crookston has their most points in conference play since 2022. The Golden Eagles come into Friday with 0.36 goals per game, while allowing 1.73 goals per tilt. Minnesota Crookston has improved dramatically on defense this season, limiting their foes. Both their defense and offensive production will be crucial points heading into this weekend's home games.

• SARAH THE STRIKER. Junior Forward Sarah Burgum (Mandan, N.D.) had a big weekend for the Golden Eagles. Burgum comes into the weekend after notching an important two goals in a 2-2 tie last Friday with MSU Moorhead. Burgum has scored three goals in her career, and has been a crucial player up front for Minnesota Crookston. The former high school field goal kicker has been a key leader and player on and off the pitch for the soccer program. Burgum comes into the weekend with 14 shots, seven on goal. 

• GOING "FISCH"ING. Brooklyn Fischbach (Sr., F, South St. Paul, Minn.) has been the goal scorer for the Golden Eagles the last two seasons. The converted goalkeeper has a knack for finding the back of the net. Fischbach has accounted for four of the team's last seven goals. Fischbach comes into the weekend with two goals in 2024. Fischbach comes into Friday with 11 shots, seven on frame. Fischbach's goals both game in a win over the University of Sioux Falls. 

• NEWCOMERS. The Golden Eagles have relied a good bit on new faces to the team in 2024. Nine newcomers have started games this season. Tyler Chernecki (Fr., F, Winnipeg, Manitoba) is tied for the team lead with 14 shots this season, starting eight games. Sydney Christopherson (Fr., MF/F, Sioux Falls, S.D.) has started five games, and has four shots, while Andrea Cuenca Medina (Fr., MF, St. Paul, Minn.) has started four games. Callie Holthaus (Fr., F, Richmond, Minn.) has one start, but has been a crucial bench player with six shots. Anna Kuecker (Fr., D/MF, Marshall, Minn.) comes in with seven starts for the Golden Eagles. Riley Martin (Fr., D/MF, San Dimas, Calif.) is coming back from injury, but recently made a start for Minnesota Crookston. Elise Lefers (Fr., MF/F, Brookings, S.D.) has one start. Jordan Metz (Fr., GK, Lino Lakes, Minn.) has been the leader in net for the Golden Eagles with nine starts, while Kali Yates (So., D, Hedgesville, W.V.) has been a lynchpin at center back with 10 starts, and 965 minutes played. 

• METZ. Jordan Metz has guided the Golden Eagles this season in net. Metz earned NSIC Goalkeeper of the Week 
honors earlier this season, becoming the first Golden Eagle since Lexie Gauger in 2014 to earn the accolade. Metz has nine starts this season. She has a 1.80 goals against average, with 73 saves, and an .811 saves percentage. Metz has had a strong start to her career, and has made several crucial saves to keep the Golden Eagles in the games. 

• SOPHOMORE CLASS. In addition to the newcomers, the Golden Eagles have several second-year players who have played major roles for the Golden Eagles. Tessa VanOverbeke (So., D/F, Hartford, S.D.) is a versatile player who has been at outside back and on the wing. VanOverbeke has the team's lone assist. Emmah Burnes (So., MF, Tulare, Calif.) helps the Golden Eagles manage the midfield, and has been a staple there for the Golden Eagles. Madison Lein (So., D, Bismarck, N.D.) has been steady in the defense for the Golden Eagles, starting all nine games. Kedin Geremiah (So., F, Winnipeg, Manitoba) has been important off the bench, playing in nine games for Minnesota Crookston.

• RETURNING PIECES. While the Golden Eagles are young, they have had several returning players who have added their experience and guidance to the team this season. Fischbach and Sarah Burgum (Jr., F, Mandan, N.D.) lead the Golden Eagles with two goals apiece this season. Abby Fettinger (R-Jr., D, White Bear Lake, Minn.) has started two games after returning from injury. Julia Finch (Jr., MF, Woodbury, Minn.) has been a staple in the middle of the park, with 11 starts. Finch has five shots. Greta Saylor (Sr., MF, New Brighton, Minn.) has 10 starts, and 11 shots this season. 

• DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE. Minnesota Crookston's defense has been the main area they have improved in this season. The Golden Eagles have relied on solid play from their back line of Yates, Lein, and Tessa VanOverbeke, along with strong goaltending from Metz. Minnesota Crookston is limiting teams to 1.73 goals per game, and 17.6 shots per tilt. This is a vast
 improvement from 2023, when they allowed 3.72 goals per game, and 26.5 shots per tilt. The Minnesota Crookston defense will continue to be crucial moving through the rest of the Golden Eagle schedule.

• JACKIE. Fifth-year senior Jacqueline Calderon (R-Sr., MF, Indio, Calif.) recently made her season debut after battling injuries. Calderon has played in two games this season with one shot. She continues to bring experience to Minnesota Crookston, and has been a staple in the program during her time in the Maroon and Gold. 

UMARY.  UMary is coming off of a great start to the season at 6-2-2, they are 4-1-2 in league play. The Golden Eagles are 2-9-3 in their history with the Marauders, with their most recent win coming in 2015. The Marauders have a plus 10 goal differential coming into Friday, scoring 16 goals this season. UMary has a very experienced starting lineup made of almost all juniors and seniors, with one sophomore. The forwards for the Marauders have a combined 11 goals, and 14 assists coming into Friday's game. 

ATTACK. Junior Forward Rachel Gensch leads the Marauders with three goals, and five assists. Gensch leads the way with 30 shots. Rio Spruenken comes in with three goals, three assists, and 20 shots for UMary. MaLiah Burke comes in with three goals, and two assists for the Marauders. UMary comes in averaging 1.60 goals per game, and 18.3 shots per contest.

IN GOAL. Molly Fischer has had a great season for UMary in goal. She is limiting opponents to just 0.42 goals per game coming into Friday. Fischer has 30 saves, and an .882 saves percentage. Fischer comes into the weekend with five shutouts. 

DEFENSE. UMary is limiting their opponents to 0.60 goals per game, and 8.4 shots per tilt. They have an 
experienced back line that includes junior Tara Young, senior Sophia Lange, and senior Mo Malone, a UTEP transfer. The back line will be crucial this weekend for the Marauders. 

MINOT STATE. The Beavers come into the weekend with a 4-24 (2-2-3 NSIC) mark. The Golden Eagles are 3-10-1 in their history with Minot State, including a win in 2019. Minot State has an experienced squad coming into this weekend. The Beavers are coming off a 2-1 win over Minnesota Duluth, and a 1-1 tie with St. Cloud State. They come in averaging 0.70 goals per game, with 11.6 shots per tilt. Minot State has a strong international presence with players from Sweden, Colombia, Switzerland, Canada, France, and Iceland. 

ALL ABOUT ANNA. Freshman Forward Anna Miotto, a native of Switzerland, has been crucial for the attack for Minot State. Miotto leads the team with three goals entering the weekend. She comes in with 27 shots, with 10 shots on goal. Miotto has one game-winning goal this season. 

LEWIS ON THE ASSIST. Mia Lewis has been dishing out the helpers this season for the Beavers. Lewis leads the team with three assists coming into the weekend. She also has three shots, with two on goal coming into the match-up.

NETMINDER. Siriana Gudino has been outstanding in goal for Minot State. Gudino comes in with a 0.50 goals against average, with 46 saves, and a .902 saves percentage. Gudino has five shutouts this season for the Beavers. 

GAMEDAY

UMARY AT MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
DATE: Friday, October 18
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

MINOT STATE AT MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
DATE: Sunday, October 20
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
Fr. GK 00 Jordan Metz (Lino Lakes, Minn.) 1.80 GAA, 73 Saves
So. D 27 Kali Yates (Hedgesville, W.V.) 10 starts, 1 shot
So. D 17 Madison Lein (Bismarck, N.D.) 11 starts, 1 shot
Fr. D 22 Riley Martin (San Dimas, Calif.) 1 start
So. MF 11 Emmah Burnes (Tulare, Calif.) 11 starts, 12 shots
Sr. MF 18 Greta Saylor (New Brighton, Minn.) 10 starts, 11 shots
Fr. MF 20 Anna Kuecker (Marshall, Minn.) 7 starts, 1 shot 
Jr. MF 3 Julia Finch (Woodbury, Minn.) 11 starts, 5 shots
So. F 9 Tessa VanOverbeke (Hartford, S.D.) 11 starts, 1 assist
Jr. F 12 Sarah Burgum (Mandan, N.D.) 7 starts, 2 goals
Sr. F 13 Brooklyn Fischbach (South St. Paul, Minn.) 8 starts, 2 goals

UMARY
Projected Starters
Sr. GK 27 Molly Fischer (Orland Park, Ill.) 0.42 GAA, 30 saves
Jr. D 2 Tara Young (Weston Super Mare, England 10 starts, 1 assist
Sr. D 5 Sophia Lange (Big Lake, Minn.) 9 starts, 1 assist
Sr. D 8 Mo Malone (Placentia, Calif.) 10 starts, 6 shots
Sr. MF 6 Amelie Faa (Frisco, Texas) 1 start, 10 shots
So. MF 10 Kadyn Sharpe (Moorhead, Minn.) 10 starts, 3 shots
Jr. MF 18 Rio Spruenken (Krefeld NRW, Germany) 3 goals, 3 assists
Jr. MF 26 Kira Hockley (Winona, Minn.) 1 goal, 1 assist
Jr. F 11 MaLiah Burke (Minot, N.D.) 3 goals, 2 assists
Jr. F 24 Olivia Gardner (Winona, Minn.) 2 goals, 4 assists

MINOT STATE
Projected Starters
Sr. GK 1 Siriana Gudino (Ceres, Calif.) 0.50 GAA, 46 saves
Jr. D 14 Mia Lewis (Minot, N.D.) 8 starts, 3 assists
Fr. D 24 Elsa Duquesne (Raimbeaucourt, France) 10 starts, 1 assist
Sr. D 29 Morgen Fried (Sherwood, Ore.) 10 starts
R-Jr. D 33 Sierra Haren (Chandler, Ariz.) 10 starts, 1 goal
R-Sr. MF 5 Sofia Galvez (Whittier, Calif.) 10 starts, 2 shots
ySo. MF 27 Leilany Ponce (Mira Loma, Calif.) 3 starts, 3 shots
Sr. MF 10 Manuela Pacheco Martinez (Bogota, Colombia) 5 starts, 10 shots
Jr. F 6 Linnea Svenzen (Farjestadan, Sweden) 3 starts, 1 shot
R-Sr. F 21 Brooklyn Casey (Minot, N.D.) 4 starts, 1 goal
Fr. F 13 Anna Miotto (Riehen, Switzerland) 10 starts, 3 goals

KEYS TO THE WEEKEND

- Can the Golden Eagles get some crucial results at home?

- Who will step up offensively for Minnesota Crookston?

- Will one of Minnesota Crookston's talented newcomers find the back of the net for the first time in 2024?

- Can the Golden Eagle defense limit chances and goals for the Marauders and Beavers?

- Can Minnesota Crookston's attack break down strong defenses and goaltending for UMary and Minot State?