Women's Soccer | 9/18/2024 12:05:00 PM

• THE MINNESOTA CROOKSTON soccer team comes into their opening week of the NSIC schedule with an 0-2-1 mark. The Golden Eagles are coming off a 0-0 draw against Black Hills State University. It was their first clean sheet since 2021, and their first tie or win since 2022, as the program continues to grow and find more success on the pitch. The Golden Eagles will play against two of the veteran coaches in the NSIC this week in 24-year veteran Jim Stone and the Beavers, and 32-year veteran Greg Cane and the Bulldogs. Minnesota Crookston's first regular-season home match will come against the Bulldogs Sunday at 1 p.m. 

• DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE. The Minnesota Crookston defense has been an important piece to the puzzle through the first three games. The defense is limiting opportunities from the opposing attack led by the play in goal from Jordan Metz and Emma Stempien, and their back line. Minnesota Crookston is allowing just 0.67 goals against through three games. it is the first time since 2016 the Golden Eagles have had a goals against average under 2.00. Minnesota Crookston had four-straight seasons with an under 2.00 goals against average under Joe Alianiello. Coach Alianiello's squads were known for their defensive tenacity. Minnesota Crookston has shown similar cues in year two under Head Coach Neil Mancktelow. 

• GOALKEEPER OF THE WEEK. Minnesota Crookston goalkeeper Jordan Metz (Fr., GK, Lino Lakes, Minn.) is coming off a NSIC Goalkeeper of the Week nod. Metz is the first Golden Eagle to receive NSIC recognition since Samantha Deutsch in 2016. She is the first goalkeeper to win the honor since Lexie Gauger in 2014. Metz put up a clean sheet in 87 minutes last Sunday against Black Hills State, making nine saves against the Yellow Jackets. It was the first clean sheet for the Golden Eagles since 2021. Metz enters the weekend averaging a 0.51 goals against average, with a .950 saves percentage, and 19 saves for the Golden Eagles. 

• SEARCHING FOR A GOAL. Minnesota Crookston has generated more offense this season, but they are looking for their first goal of the 2024 season. Sarah Burgum (Jr., F, Mandan, N.D.), Tyler Chernecki (Fr., F, Winnipeg, Manitoba), and Emmah Burnes (So., MF, Tulare, Calif.) lead the Golden Eagles with three shots apiece this season. Brooklyn Fischbach (Sr., F, South St. Paul, Minn.) comes in with two. 

• RETURNERS. In addition to the newcomers, the Golden Eagles have several newcomers who are helping to bring stability and guidance to Minnesota Crookston on the pitch. Emmah Burnes (So., MF, Tulare, Calif.), Julia Finch (Jr., MF, Woodbury, Minn.), Madison Lein (So., D, Bismarck, N.D.), and Tessa VanOverbeke (So., D/MF, Hartford, S.D.) have all started all three games this season. In addition, Greta Saylor (Sr., MF, New Brighton, Minn.), and Sarah Burgum (Jr., F, Mandan, N.D.) have each started two contests. The returners will be a guiding light among a young squad this season. 

• NEWCOMERS. The Golden Eagles have 10 new faces to the roster in 2024. Minnesota Crookston has had seven newcomers start games this season. Tyler Chernecki (Fr., F, Winnipeg, Manitoba), Andrea Cuenca Medina (Fr., MF, St. Paul, Minn.), and Kali Yates (So., D, Hedgesville, W.V.) have started all three games this season. Sydney Christopherson (Fr., MF/F, Sioux Falls, S.D.), and Jordan Metz (Fr., GK, Lino Lakes, Minn.) have each started two. The newcomers will play key roles this season, and in the future of the Golden Eagle program. 

• FROM THE BASKETBALL COURT. Emma Dudycha has made the transition from basketball to soccer after two seasons. Dudycha played soccer in high school at Austin H.S., alongside her twin sister Hope Dudycha. The twins are part of five sets of twins that both compete in sports at Minnesota Crookston. The Golden Eagles have four more instances where one twin competes at Minnesota Crookston, while the other attends school elsewhere. Sarah Burgum is an instance of this, as her twin brother Lucas plays baseball at UMary. 

• BACK LINE. The back line is imperative for the Golden Eagles, and it has been solid through two games led by Lein, Yates, and Tessa VanOverbeke. The Golden Eagles have limited good looks for the opposing offenses, and have held the teams to just one goal. Continuing to put up the statistics like this will keep the Golden Eagles in games and allow for the offense to strike and pick up points. 

• HOME. Minnesota Crookston will start their home slate Sunday against Minnesota Duluth at 1 p.m., at the Minnesota Crookston Soccer Field. The Golden Eagles are looking for their first victory at home to open their home campaign since
 September 17, 2021 when they defeated Minnesota State University Moorhead 1-0. 

BEMIDJI STATE. - The Beavers are coming off of a very successful 13-4-6 season last year, with a goal differential of 19. They won the NSIC tournament last season and are shooting for the same this season. BSU is returning a lot of key players who produced for them last season, including their top-scoring striker. They are returning six regular starters from last season's team, with only two of those returning players being seniors. Bemidj State is a fairly young team with a lot of promising players to repeat the success of last season. With a very experienced head coach in Jim Stone, there is no doubt that they will be back as one of the best teams in the conference. 

OFFENSE. - Bemidji State is returning two of their most productive starters from the front line. Junior, Katrina Barthelt, their leading goalscorer with 12 goals in 23 games last year and who has already got three goals to her name this year will be the focus of the attack. Alongside Barthelt is Redshirt Sophomore, Kenzie Harer, who started 18 games last season with three goals. One player to look out for is Madeline Davey, a sophomore who came off the bench almost every game last season and is a very promising player that will be competing for more and more time. Overall Bemidji State has very talented forwards who all played with each other last year and continue to compete for game time. 

MIDFIELD. - Bemidji State is returning a very experienced midfield duo of Lauren Hodny, a fifth-year senior who started almost every game alongside Maria Stocke, they ended the season last year with eight goals and two assists combined. They both have started every game so far this year. Freshman Breanna Weilert is also someone to look out for, she has already started in 3-out-of-4 games for the Beavers. Overall this is a very experienced midfield which was the glue for last years league winning team. 

DEFENSE. - The defensive line is returning two players, Megan Ko and Emma Huelsnitz who both started in 22 games last season. The Beavers have let up more shots than they have taken so far this year, although they still have more goals than their opponents. Freshman Maggie Kramer has now cemented herself as a starter in the back line this year. Overall the Beavers give up plenty of shots but not many goals, they have a mix of very experienced players and young starters such as Maggie Kramer. The back line is a place where they might need to do some work to be more consistent. 

MINNESOTA DULUTH. - The Bulldogs come into the weekend with an 0-3 mark. Minnesota Duluth fell 6-1 to Northern Michigan University, 1-0 to Michigan Tech, and 2-0 to Northern State University. The Bulldogs are averaging 0.33 goals per game, while allowing 3.00 goals per game. Minnesota Duluth is averaging 8.3 shots per game, while allowing 12.7 shots per game. The lone goal from the season came from UMD's Maria Zanotti. The Bulldogs went 6-7-6 in 2023.

MARIA MARIA. - Zanotti leads the way with the lone goal this season for Minnesota Duluth. She comes in with three shots on goal for the Bulldogs. Zanotti is in her first season with Minnesota Duluth after transferring from Minnesota State University. Zanotti appeared in 13 games for the Mavericks in 2023.

TOMZAK ON THE DISH. - Kailey Tomzak has the lone assist for the Bulldogs thus far this season. The defender has made an instant impact as a freshman. She has two starts in three games for Minnesota Duluth, and also has one shot on goal.

KAYCEE IN GOAL. - Kaycee Chavez has started all three games in goal for the Bulldogs. She comes into the weekend with a 3.00 goals against average, with 16 saves. Chavez comes to Minnesota Duluth after transferring from Northern Idaho College.

GAMEDAY

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON AT BEMIDJI STATE
DATE: Friday, September 20
TIME: 4 p.m.
SITE: Bemidji, Minn.
FIELD: Chet Anderson Stadium
LIVE STATS: https://bsubeavers.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
LIVE VIDEO: https://nsicnetwork.com/bsubeavers/
X: @UMNCrookstonATH

MINNESOTA DULUTH AT MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
DATE: Sunday, September 22
TIME: 1 p.m.
SITE: Crookston, Minn.
FIELD: Minnesota Crookston Soccer Field
LIVE STATS: https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
LIVE VIDEO: https://nsicnetwork.com/goldeneaglesports/
X: @UMNCrookstonATH

KEYS TO THE WEEKEND

- Can the Golden Eagles open the NSIC season off on the right foot?

- Can the Minnesota Crookston defense continue to limit opposing attacks?

- Will the Golden Eagle goalkeepers continue to play strong in net?

- Can Minnesota Crookston open their home season with a win?

- Who will step up for the Golden Eagles?

WEEKLY SNAPSHOT

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
Projected Starters
Fr. GK 00 Jordan Metz (Lino Lakes, Minn.) 2 starts, 0.51 GAA, 19 Saves
So. D 9 Tessa VanOverbeke (Hartford, S.D.) 3 starts
So. D 27 Kali Yates (Hedgesville, W.V.) 3 starts
So. D 17 Madison Lein (Bismarck, N.D.) 3 starts, 1 shot
Sr. MF 18 Greta Saylor (New Brighton, Minn.)  2 starts
Jr. MF 3 Julia Finch (Woodbury, Minn.) 3 starts
Fr. MF 8 Andrea Cuenca Medina (St. Paul, Minn.) 3 starts, 1 shot
So. MF 11 Emmah Burnes (Tulare, Calif.) 3 starts, 3 shots
Fr. F 2 Tyler Chernecki (Winnipeg, Manitoba) 3 starts, 3 shots
Fr. F 7 Sydney Christopherson (Sioux Falls, S.D.) 2 starts
Jr. F 12 Sarah Burgum (Mandan, N.D.)  2 starts, 3 shots

BEMIDJI STATE
Projected Starters
Gr. GK  1 Sonia Alfieri (Mamer, Luxembourg) 4 starts, 1.00 GAA, 17 saves
Fr. D 2 Sydney Sutherland (Blaine, Minn.) 2 starts, 1 goal, 0 assists
Jr. D 11 Brie Klingbeil (Fort Atkinson, Wis.) 1 start
Fr. D 23 Maggie Kramer (St. Michael, Minn.) 4 starts
So. D 26 Megan Ko (Lake Oswego, Ore.) 4 starts
R-Jr. MF 10 Emma Huelsnitz (Ramsey, Minn.) 4 starts
Gr. MF 17 Lauren Hodny (Moorhead, Minn.) 4 starts
Sr. MF 21 Maria Stocke (Andover, Minn.) 4 starts, 1 goal, 0 assists
Fr. F 3 Breanna Weilert (Blaine, Minn.) 3 starts
Jr. F 12 Katrina Barthelt (Bartlett, Ill.) 4 starts, 3 goals, 0 assists
R-So. F 14 Kenzie Harer (Cottage Grove, Minn.) 4 starts 0 goals, 1 assist

MINNESOTA DULUTH
Projected Starters
Jr. GK 1 Kaycee Chavez (Eagle River, Alaska) 3 starts, 3.00 GAA, 16 saves
Fr. D 12 Kailey Tomzak  (Lakeville, Minn.) 2 starts, 0 goals, 1 assist
R-Fr. D 14 Caitlin Sheleski (Green Bay, Wis.) 2 starts
Fr. D 23 Gwendolyn Lilly (Esko, Minn.) 2 starts
Jr. MF 9 Elaina Shromoff (Lakeville, Minn.) 1 start
Jr. MF 24 Malory Russ (Sparta, Wis.) 3 starts
Jr. MF 25 Miriam Marsan (Eden Prairie, Minn.) 1 start
Sr. F 5 Anna Tobias (Lakeville, Minn.) 3 starts
So. F 20 Jessica Eischens (North Oaks, Minn.) 3 starts
5th F 22 Aisley Allen (Missoula, Mont.)