Winona State returns to Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium after a winless road trip looking to halt a three-game losing streak in front of its hometown crowd. This weekend, the Warriors will face two teams that are on completely opposite ends of the conference standings. Minnesota Crookston comes to town Friday afternoon with an 0-6 record still seeking its first win of the season. To cap off the weekend, Winona State faces off against undefeated No. 12 Bemidji State. This weekend's matchups serve as a bookend to what will be a very busy weekend on campus for Warrior athletics.
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OPPORTUNITIES KNOCKING: Despite the Warriors ending up on the wrong side of the win/loss column, the chances to score have been there as Winona State ranks fourth in the NSIC in shots on goal per game (8.5). Junior Courtney Wiencek leads the Warriors' offensive attack with 15 shots and is third in the conference in average shots per game (3.75). Sophomore Georgette Topalis also finds herself on that same list in the 18th spot with 2.5 per game. As the Warriors continue to produce a high volume of shots, it is just a matter of time before they find the back of the net.
BETWEEN THE PIPES: Senior Jourdan Valkner has been tested in her return to the net for the Warriors this season. The keeper started the season off with a shutout victory over Upper Iowa but has suffered a three-game setback since opening day. Facing 59 total shots and making 23 saves, opposing teams have found ways to get to the Winona State keeper. Despite the recent setback, Valkner is still among the conference leaders in saves per game (5.75).
SCOUTING UMC: The Golden Eagles enter Friday's matchup with the Warriors still in search of their first win of the season. An early season trip out west jumpstarted Minnesota Crookston's losing streak which led into the start of conference play. The start of NSIC play didn't get any easier as the Golden Eagles have been shut out in each of their first three conference matchups. Maggee Hodgdon has been UMC's best performer this season netting a pair of goals on seven shots.
SCOUTING BEMIDJI STATE: The Beavers are currently one of two NSIC teams in the United Soccer Coaches Top-25, sitting at No. 12 among Division II teams. They broke into the rankings after the first week of play and have found themselves on an early-season hot streak with a record of 6-0 (3-0 NSIC) coming into this weekend. Aside from having the third highest scoring average in the NSIC (2.17), on the other side of the ball Bemidji State holds their opponents to less than a goal per game (.67). Forward Rachel Norton leads the Beavers with five goals and goalkeeper Anna Fobbe boasts a .85 save percentage only surrendering four goals in six games.
PRESEASON POLL:The Warriors were picked to finish eighth in the Norther Sun Intercollegiate Conference this season. Winona State finished last season in the seventh spot in the conference, concluding their season with a tough 3-2 loss to Bemidji State in the first round of the conference tournament. Picked to finish atop the list is Minnesota State, followed by Bemidji State and Augustana (S.D.) rounding out the top three.
