FAYETTE, Iowa - The University of Minnesota Crookston soccer team opened the 2025 season with a 0-0 draw at Upper Iowa University Thursday, September 4 at Harms-Eischeid Stadium in Fayette, Iowa. Payton King (Fr., GK, Fairfield, Calif.) picked up a clean sheet in her first career start in goal, notching eight saves. 

Minnesota Crookston is 0-0-1 (0-0-0 NSIC) after their first game of the 2025 slate. Golden Eagles Head Coach Danny Burstein opens his time at the helm with a draw. He is the first Minnesota Crookston soccer coach to open his time as head coach with a draw or win since Richard Jones in 2009. The Golden Eagles have not opened a season with a draw or win since 2022. 

Minnesota Crookston had one clean sheet in 2024 with Jordan Metz (So., GK, Lino Lakes, Minn.), and Emma Stempien combined for the shutout September 15 versus Black Hills State University.

The Golden Eagles put up a clean sheet in the first 45 minutes led by Payton King in net, with one save. Upper Iowa had two shots, with one on goal, while Minnesota Crookston notched no shots in the opening half. 

Minnesota Crookston was able to keep the Peacocks at bay again in the 45 minutes, as King notched seven saves. Upper Iowa finished with 12 shots, eight on goal. Minnesota Crookston was not credited with a shot Thursday.

The Golden Eagles had five newcomers make their debuts at Minnesota Crookston Thursday including: King, Riley Edemann, Norah Lutz, Lilly Goehring, and Aleisha Cortez. 

Haylie Hutchinson paced Upper Iowa with three shots, while Maile Kehano had two shots. Sienna Johnson notched the shutout for the Peacocks.

The Golden Eagles return home to host Black Hills State University Sunday, September 7 at 12 p.m., at the Minnesota Crookston Soccer Field.