Women's Soccer | 10/9/2024 3:29:00 PM

• THE MINNESOTA CROOKSTON soccer team comes into the weekend with a 1-7-1 (1-4 NSIC) mark. The Golden Eagles are currently in a three-way tie for 13th place in the conference standings. Minnesota Crookston has shown improvement in 2024, as they picked up their first win and tie since 2022 earlier this season. The Golden Eagles are looking to build on their resume, as they get set for the Battle for the Highway 75 Rivalry Rock with Minnesota State University Moorhead, and a road excursion to face Northern State University. The Golden Eagles are in their second season under Head Coach Neil Mancktelow. Minnesota Crookston is averaging 0.22 goals per game, while allowing 1.56 goals to their foes. The Golden Eagles are tallying 7.9 shots per game, while giving up 17.8 per tilt to their foes. Minnesota Crookston is looking to snap a three-game losing streak as they face-off this weekend with the Dragons and Wolves.

• HIGHWAY 75 RIVALRY ROCK. The Highway 75 Rivalry Rock is a trophy Minnesota Crookston and MSU Moorhead have played for over the last 12 seasons. The two schools are located just 72 miles apart on U.S. Highway 75. The rivalry rock was a tradition started by former coaches Joe Alianiello and Rollie Bulock. Since the trophy game began, MSU Moorhead leads the series 6-4-1. The Dragons have the last two wins. Minnesota Crookston won the game in 2021, 2016, 2015, and 2013. 

• 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, and an assist in 2024. She will look to find the back of the net against the Dragons, and Wolves.

• NEWCOMERS. The Golden Eagles have relied a good bit on new faces to the team in 2024. Eight newcomers have started games this season. Tyler Chernecki (Fr., F, Winnipeg, Manitoba) leads the team with 14 shots, as the freshman's speed has added potency to the Golden Eagle offense. Sydney Christopherson (Fr., MF/F, Sioux Falls, S.D.) has four starts. Andrea Cuenca Medina (Fr., MF, Saint Paul, Minn.) also has four starts. Anna Kuecker (Fr., MF, Marshall, Minn.) has five starts for Minnesota Crookston. Jordan Metz (Fr., GK, Lino Lakes, Minn.) has been the main goalkeeper this season for Minnesota Crookston. Kali Yates (So., D, Hedgesville, W.V.) has been a staple at center back for Minnesota Crookston. Callie Holthaus (Fr., MF/F, Richmond, Minn.), and Elise Lefers (Fr., MF/F, Brookings, S.D.) have also started games this season.

• 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 seven starts this season. She has a 1.61 goals against average, with 61 saves, and an .836 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 seven 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 leads the team in goals, while Sarah Burgum (Jr., F, Mandan, N.D.) has started five games, and has six shots. 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 nine starts. Finch has five shots. Greta Saylor (Sr., MF, New Brighton, Minn.) has eight starts, and seven 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 1.56 goals per game, and 17.8 shots per tilt. This is a vast improvement from 2023, when they allowed 3.72 goals per game, and 26.5 shots per tilt. 

MINNESOTA STATE MOORHEAD. The Dragons are in their first season under Head Coach Scott Forster, who came to the Dragons after three seasons at Bluefield State University. MSU Moorhead enters the weekend with a 1-8-1 (1-5 NSIC) mark. MSU Moorhead has lost three straight. Their only win came with a 1-0 defeat of Winona State University September 27. The Dragons are averaging 0.20 goals per game, and allowing 2.10 per contest. MSU Moorhead is averaging 5.4 shots per game, while allowing 20.4 shots per contest.

ATTACK. Freshman Madalynn Hopkins and Junior Blayke Hurley have accounted for MSU Moorhead's goals this season. Sara Alfrida Munk Nielsen has the lone assist for the Dragons in 2024. Hopkins has the most shots on the team, with 12. Becca Cook comes in with seven shots, while Hurley, Marin Hensely, and Lilly Johnson all have four.

IN GOAL. Quinn Carter has started nine games in net for MSU Moorhead. She has a 2.06 goals against average in 743 minutes, with 78 saves. Carter has a .821 saves percentage. Rylee Truslow has appeared in three games, with one start. Truslow has a 2.29 gaols against average, and 12 saves.

SERIES. The Golden Eagles are 7-20-1 against MSU Moorhead in the series. The Dragons have claimed the last two victories in the series. Minnesota Crookston's last win was a 1-0 win September 17, 2021 in Moorhead. 

NORTHERN STATE. Northern State University comes into the weekend with a 4-3-3 (3-1-2 NSIC) record. The Wolves are currently in a tie for third in the conference standings. Northern State is coming off a 1-1 tie October 6 with Wayne State College. They had defeated the University of Sioux Falls 2-0 last Friday. Northern State is averaging 1.40 goals per game, while allowing just 1.20 goals. The Wolves are tallying 10.0 shots per tilt, while allowing 11.1 to their foes.

A LITTLE BIT FASTENAU. Megan Fastenau has been crucial to the success of the Wolves. The senior from Aberdeen S.D., leads the way with four goals, and two assists this season. Fastenau comes in with 10 shots on goal to guide Northern State. Fastenau has two game-winning goals for Northern State entering this weekend. 

OFFENSIVE OPTIONS. In addition to Fastenau, the Wolves have six other players who have found the back of the net this season. Eva Larson, Sophie Taylor, and Lauren Youngquist each come in with two goals, and two helpers for Northern State. Chloe Voss enters the weekend with two goals, and an assist. Jaylee Hofer, and Maliyah Ritthirak have a goal, and a helper for the Wolves.

NETMINDER. Alexus Townsend has been the main girl in the gloves in goal for Northern State. Townsend has seven starts, and has a 1.13 goals against average in 2024. Townsend comes in with 33 saves, and a .786 saves percentage. Elinor Sayers has started three games for the Wolves. She has a 1.50 goals against average, with 12 saves.

GAMEDAY

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON AT MSU MOORHEAD
DATE: Friday, October 11
TIME: 3 p.m.
SITE: Moorhead, Minn.
ARENA: Nemzek Soccer Field
LIVE STATS: https://www.msumdragons.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
LIVE VIDEO: https://nsicnetwork.com/msumdragons/
TWITTER: @UMNCrookstonATH/@UMNCrookstonSOC

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON AT NORTHERN STATE
DATE: Sunday, October 13
TIME: 1 p.m.
SITE: Aberdeen, S.D.
ARENA: Athletic and Recreation Fields
LIVE STATS: https://nsuwolves.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
LIVE VIDEO: https://nsicnetwork.com/nsuwolves/
TWITTER: @UMNCrookstonATH/@UMNCrookstonSOC

WEEKLY SNAPSHOT

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
Projected Starters
Fr. GK 00 Jordan Metz (Lino Lakes, Minn.) 1.61 GAA, 61 saves
So. D 27 Kali Yates (Hedgesville, W.V.) 8 starts, 1 shot
So. D 17 Madison Lein (Bismarck, N.D.) 9 starts, 1 shot
So. D 9 Tessa VanOverbeke (Hartford, S.D.) 9 starts, 1 assist
So. MF 11 Emmah Burnes (Tulare, Calif.) 9 starts, 10 shots
Sr. MF 18 Greta Saylor (New Brighton, Minn.) 8 starts, 7 shots
Fr. MF 20 Anna Kuecker (Marshall, Minn.) 5 starts
Jr. MF 3 Julia Finch (Woodbury, Minn.) 9 starts, 5 shots
Fr. F 7 Sydney Christopherson (Sioux Falls, S.D.) 4 starts, 3 shots
Jr. F 12 Sarah Burgum (Mandan, N.D.) 5 starts, 6 shots
Sr. F 13 Brooklyn Fischbach (South St. Paul, Minn.) 6 starts, 2 goals

MSU MOORHEAD
Projected Starters
Jr. GK 1 Quinn Carter (Mandan, N.D.) 9 starts, 2.06 GAA, 78 saves
Jr. D 5 Abbey Johnson (Blaine, Minn.) 7 starts, 3 shots
Sr. D 8 Sara Alfrida Munk Nielsen (Aarhus, Denmark) 10 starts, 1 assist
Gr. D 18 Mason Kimble (Littleton, Colo.) 9 starts
So. D 20 Clara Paleen (St. Paul, Minn.) 6 starts, 1 shot
Fr. MF 14 Mary Cox (Evergreen, Colo.) 5 starts, 3 shots
So. MF 15 Marin Hensley (Tigard, Ore.) 10 starts, 4 shots
Fr. MF 30 Madalynn Hopkins (Denver, Colo.) 7 starts, 1 goal, 0 assists
Jr. F 11 Lilly Johnson (North Branch, Minn.) 8 starts, 4 shots
Jr. F 13 Blayke Hurley (Horace, N.D.) 8 starts, 1 goal, 0 assists
Fr. F 25 Becca Cook (Rochester, Minn.) 5 starts, 7 shots

NORTHERN STATE
Projected Starters
Sr. GK 00 Alexus Townsend (Omaha, Neb.) 7 starts, 1.13 GAA, 33 saves
So. D 12 Lauren Youngquist (Anoka, Minn.) 10 starts, 2 goals, 2 assists
Sr. D 19 Zoe Boughton (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) 10 starts, 1 shot
Fr. D 23 Lydia Nordquist (Andover, Minn.) 10 starts, 2 shots
So. D 25 Lizzy Rawlings (Orem, Utah) 3 starts, 4 shots
So. MF 16 Lauren Carpenter (Prior Lake, Minn.) 10 starts, 4 shots
Fr. MF 17 Abby Missman (Shakopee, Minn.) 2 starts, 2 shots
R-So. MF 21 Alexis Phillips (Albertville, Minn.) 10 starts, 1 assist
Sr. F 9 Sophie Taylor (Aberdeenshire, Scotland) 2 goals, 2 assists
So. F 3 Chloe Voss (Andover, Minn.) 2 goals, 1 assist
Sr. F 24 Megan Fastenau (Aberdeen, S.D.) 4 goals, 2 assists

KEYS TO THE WEEKEND

- Can the Golden Eagles bring back the Highway 75 Rivalry Rock to Crookston?

- Can a Minnesota Crookston newcomer find the back of the net?

- Will the Golden Eagle defense continue to be steady this weekend?

- Can Brooklyn Fischbach continue her goal-scoring ways?

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

- Can Minnesota Crookston come away with some big saves in goal?