WINONA, Minn. – After opening its home slate with a non-conference game on Sunday, Winona State University travels to Mankato and Concordia-St. Paul this weekend for a pair of NSIC matchups. The Warriors take on the Mavericks Friday at 3 p.m. and will battle the Golden Bears Sunday at 1 p.m.
Winona State opened the 2018 season with a 2-0 conference win at Upper Iowa last Thursday. Melissa Greco and Georgette Topalis scored goals while Jourdan Valkner notched her first shutout of the season in net.
WSU dropped its home opener on Sunday to Michigan Tech, 2-1. Courtney Wiencek netted her first goal of the year early in the first half only to see the Huskies recorded two goals in the second half of action.
Valkner has made both starts in goal for WSU and has recorded eight saves with an .800 save percentage. The Warrior defense has allowed 20 total shots, including just five to Upper Iowa. Bridget Doran and Maggie Ruelle have both played all 90 minutes defensively over the first two games.
Junior transfer Mariah Northrop tallied an assist on Topalis' goal at UIU. Wiencek leads the team in shots (11), followed by Topalis and Abby Bohanski (7).
WSU currently leads the NSIC with 12.5 shots on goal per game.
The Warriors fell to both CSP (1-0) and Mankato (4-0) last season.
Winona State returns home after the road trip to host Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State on Friday, September 21 and Sunday, September 23.
Scouting Mankato
The Mavericks (2-1) host Winona State in their first NSIC contest of the season. Last time out, Mankato lost at No. 1 Central Missouri, 1-0. The Mavericks have defeated Sioux Falls, 4-0, in non-conference play and Florida Tech, 3-2, earlier this season.
Julia Zach and Dakota Wendell each have two goals this year, and Zach leads the team with six total points. Six other Mavericks have tallied at least one point this year with a goal or assist. Mankato ranks second in the NSIC with 10.67 shots on goal/game.
Alexa Rabune has started all three games in goal and has recorded 15 saves to an .833 save percentage.
Scouting CSP
The Golden Bears (3-0) host Upper Iowa on Friday prior to Sunday's meeting with Winona State. CSP is outscoring its opponents 6-1 this season with wins over Western State, Nebraska-Kearney and Viterbo.
Jena Berkland leads the team in goals (2) and points (5). Six other Golden Bears have tallied at least one point offensively this year. CSP ranks fourth in the NSIC in shots on goal/game (8.67).
Two goalies have seen action for CSP this season. Emily Nelson has made two starts and recorded saves on all six attempts she's face, and Jordyn Clark recorded two saves in her start.
