Women's Soccer | 10/24/2024 11:29:00 AM

• THE MINNESOTA CROOKSTON soccer team enters the weekend with a 1-10-2 (1-7-1 NSIC). The Golden Eagles are currently in a three-way tie for 12th with Southwest Minnesota State University, and Minnesota State University Moorhead. 
Minnesota Crookston has shown marked improvement in 2024, ending a 26-game losing streak, and improving substantially on defense. The Golden Eagles come in averaging 0.31 goals per game, while allowing 1.69 goals per tilt. They are taking 7.7 shots per tilt, while allowing 17.1 per game. Minnesota Crookston has lost their last three, but was very competitive in games against University of Mary (1-0), and Minot State University (2-0). The Golden Eagles have picked up ties with Minnesota State University Moorhead, and Black Hills State University, and a 2-1 victory over the University of Sioux Falls. 

• 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 five goals. Fischbach comes into the weekend with two goals in 2024. She will look to find the back of the net against the Vikings and Wildcats. Fischbach comes in with 11 shots, with seven on frame. 

• HEY SARAH. Sarah Burgum (Jr., F, Mandan, N.D.) picked up two goals in a tie with MSU Moorhead earlier this season. Burgum is tied with Brooklyn Fischbach with the team lead in goals. She has been a strong player at the top of the formation for Minnesota Crookston. Burgum leads the team with 15 shots, eight have come on goal in 2024. She will be a vital player the rest of the way for Minnesota Crookston. 

• 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) has started eight games, with 14 shots for the Golden Eagles. Sydney Christopherson (Fr., MF/F, Sioux Falls, S.D.) comes in with five starts, and four shots. Andrea Cuenca Medina (Fr., MF, St. Paul, Minn.) has four starts, and three shots. Callie Holthaus (Fr., F, Richmond, Minn.) has started two games, with six shots for the Golden Eagles. Anna Kuecker (Fr., D/MF, Marshall, Minn.) has eight starts, and one shot. Elise Lefers (Fr., MF/F, Brookings, S.D.) comes in with one start. Riley Martin (Fr., D/MF, San Dimas, Calif.) has two starts. Jordan Metz (Fr., GK, Lino Lakes, Minn.) has started 11 games in goal this season. Kali Yates (So., D, Hedgesville, W.V.) has been a key presence at center back with 12 starts for Minnesota Crookston.

• 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 11 starts this season. She has made several crucial saves for Minnesota Crookston. She enters the weekend with a 1.77 goals against average, 87 saves, and a .813 saves percentage. 

• 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 10 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 Burgum lead the team in goals. Abby Fettinger (R-Jr., D, White Bear Lake, Minn.) has started three games after returning from injury. Julia Finch (Jr., MF, Woodbury, Minn.) has been a staple in the middle of the park, with 13 starts. Finch has six shots. Greta Saylor (Sr., MF, New Brighton, Minn.) has 12 starts, and 14 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. Abby Fettinger, Emmah Burnes, Riley Martin, and Anna Kuecker have also stepped into the back line in spots. Minnesota Crookston is limiting teams to 1.69 goals per game, and 17.1 shots per tilt. This is a vast improvement from 2023, when they allowed 3.72 goals per game, and 26.5 shots per tilt. 

• ON THE ROAD. This season Minnesota Crookston has a road win against Sioux Falls, and ties against MSU Moorhead, and Black Hills State on the road. They will look for more positive results this weekend against Augustana, and Wayne State. 

AUGUSTANA. The Vikings come into the weekend with a 7-4-2 (6-2-1 NSIC) mark. They have won three in a row, with victories over Concordia-St. Paul, Wayne State, and Sioux Falls. The Vikings have a three-plus goal differential on the 2024 season. Augustana has a strong group of forwards, as they have accounted for 7-of-15 goals, and 6-of-12 assists. Augustana is propelled by Madelyn White with three goals and four assists. Macie Haggerty has two goals, and two assists, while Ally Hamski has three assists for her midfield position. The Vikings are allowing 10.8 shots per game, while producing 12.2 shots per tilt for themselves. 

IN GOAL. Aaliyah Matthews leads the Vikings with nine starts in goal. She has a 0.98 goals against average, with an .809 saves percentage, and 38 saves. Matthews has five shutouts for Augustana. Taya Baker comes in with four starts. Baker has a 0.78 goals against average, with a .833 saves percentage. 

SERIES. Augustana has won the last eight games in the series. Minnesota Crookston picked up a 1-0 win over Augustana in Crookston October 5, 2014. They also defeated the Vikings in 2002, and picked up ties with Augustana in 2010 and 2012. 

WAYNE STATE. The Wildcats come into the weekend with a 4-5-4 (3-3-3 NSIC) record. Wayne State has earned two ties, and has two losses in their last four tilts. The Wildcats last win came with a 3-0 decision October 4 at MSU Moorhead. Wayne State is coming off a 0-0 draw with No. 9 Minnesota State University. The Wildcats are scoring 1.23 goals per game, and allowing 1.23 goals per contest. They are taking 11.5 shots per tilt, while allowing 11.8 shots per game to their foes. 

ON THE ATTACK. Paige Pemberton comes into the weekend as Wayne State's leading points scorer with three goals, and three assists. Their leading goal-scorer is Alaina Sorensen with four goals, and an assist. Pemberton has 18 shots this season, which is second on the team. Maia Vacks leads the Wildcats with 19 shots this season. She enters the weekend with a goal, and four helpers. 

IN NET. Sidney Truman has started all 13 games in net for the Wildcats. She comes in with a 1.26 goals against average, with a .789 saves percentage, and 60 saves. Truman has accounted for four shutouts for Wayne State this season.

SERIES. Wayne State leads the all-time series 20-4-2. The Wildcats have won the last six games in the series. Last season, Wayne State picked up a 2-1 decision in Crookston. Minnesota Crookston's last win came October 4, 2014 in Crookston with a 3-1 victory. The last draw in the series was October 15, 2017 in Crookston, 1-1. 

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON AT AUGUSTANA
DATE: Friday, October 25
TIME: 4 p.m.
SITE: Sioux Falls, S.D.
ARENA: Morstad Field
LIVE STATS: https://goaugie.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
LIVE VIDEO: https://nsicnetwork.com/goaugie/
X: @UMNCrookstonATH/@UMNCrookstonSOC

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON AT WAYNE STATE
DATE: Sunday, October 27
TIME: 1 p.m.
SITE: Wayne, Neb. 
ARENA: WSC Soccer Field
LIVE STATS: https://wscwildcats.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
LIVE VIDEO: https://nsicnetwork.com/wscwildcats/
X: @UMNCrookstonATH/@UMNCrookstonSOC

WEEKLY SNAPSHOT

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
Projected Starters
Fr. GK 00 Jordan Metz (Lino Lakes, Minn.) 1.77 GAA, 87 saves
So. D 27 Kali Yates (Hedgesville, W.V.) 12 starts, 3 shots
So. D 17 Madison Lein (Bismarck, N.D.) 13 starts, 1 shot
Sr. D 15 Abby Fettinger (White Bear Lake, Minn.) 3 starts, 2 shots
So. MF 9 Tessa VanOverbeke (Hartford, S.D.) 13 starts, 1 assist
So. MF 11 Emmah Burnes (Tulare, Calif.) 13 starts, 12 shots
Sr. MF 18 Greta Saylor (New Brighton, Minn.) 12 starts, 14 shots
Fr. MF 20 Anna Kuecker (Marshall, Minn.) 8 starts, 1 shot
Jr. MF 3 Julia Finch (Woodbury, Minn.) 13 starts, 6 shots
Jr. F 12 Sarah Burgum (Mandan, N.D.) 9 starts, 2 goals
Sr. F 13 Brooklyn Fischbach (South St. Paul, Minn.) 10 starts, 2 goals

AUGUSTANA
Projected Starters
R-So. GK 44 Taya Baker (Omaha, Neb.) 0.78 GAA, 15 saves
Sr. D 2 Delaney Kost (Rapid City, S.D.) 13 starts, 3 shots
R-Fr. D 12 Ashlyn Kelliher (Sioux Falls, S.D.) 10 starts, 1 shot
Jr. D 16 Connor Rylance (Overland Park, Kan.) 13 starts, 3 assists
Sr. D 29 Erika Leeman (Burnsville, Minn.) 13 starts, 2 shots
Sr. MF 11 Sierra Barkus (Sioux Falls, S.D.) 13 starts, 1 goal
Jr. MF 14 Ally Hamski (Blaine, Minn.) 8 starts, 3 goals
R-So. MF 33 Sydney Hage (Harrisburg, S.D.) 4 starts, 1 assist
So. F 10 Madelyn White (Gretna, Neb.) 3 goals, 4 assists
Sr. F 18 Macie Haggerty (Sioux Falls, S.D.) 2 goals, 2 assists
Jr. F 20 Audrey Parnell (Mendota Heights, Minn.) 9 starts, 2 goals

WAYNE STATE
Projected Starters
5th GK 1 Sidney Truman (Ankeny, Iowa) 1.26 GAA, 60 saves
5th D 3 Morgan Rhodes (Omaha, Neb.) 12 starts, 1 goal
Sr. D 4 Erin Peters (North Mankato, Minn.) 1 goal, 2 assists
Fr. D 14 Addison Walker (Omaha, Neb.) 12 starts, 1 assist
Jr. MF 5 Alaina Sorensen (Sioux Falls, S.D.) 4 goals, 1 assist
5th MF 7 Neleah Dunlap (Yorba Linda, Calif.) 12 starts, 3 shots
Jr. MF 13 Kaylee Herall (Papillion, Neb.) 13 starts, 4 shots
5th MF 16 Riann Daas (Rush City, Minn.) 1 goal, 1 assist
Jr. MF 17 Paige Pemberton (Lee's Summit, Mo.) 3 goals, 3 assists
Sr. MF 25 Maia Vacks (Navarre, Fla.) 1 goal, 4 assists
Jr. F 32 Reagan Allen (Topeka, Kan.) 4 starts, 7 shots

KEYS TO THE WEEKEND

- Can the Golden Eagles limit the Augustana attacking players Friday?

- Who will come up in the big moments for the Golden Eagles?

- Can a freshman find the back of the net for the first time this season for Minnesota Crookston?

- Will the Golden Eagle back line continue to be crucial this weekend?

- Can Minnesota Crookston set the tone early against Wayne State and not let down?