WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State women's soccer team embarks on a two-game road trip this weekend seeking its first win since the season began earlier this month. The Warriors travel to Northern State for a 3 p.m. match on Friday and conclude the trip with a 1 p.m. match at MSU Moorhead on Sunday.
The Warriors (1-4-1, 1-3-1 NSIC) played Crookston to a 1-1 double overtime draw last Friday before suffering a 2-0 shutout at the hands of No. 12 Bemidji State on Sunday afternoon.
Since Winona State's season-opening win at Upper Iowa, 2-0, the Warriors have been held to one goal or less in each of their last five games. Despite averaging less than a goal per game this year, WSU ranks third in the NSIC in shots on goal/game (8.5). With their continued offensive pressure, it's only a matter of time before Warrior shots begin to find the back of the net in bunches.
Bridget Doran, Melissa Greco, Chase Rehm, Georgette Topalis and Courtney Wiencek each have one goal apiece this year to account for the Warrior scoring. Mariah Northrop and Alyssa Reynolds have both tallied one assist.
Wiencek leads the team in total shots (17) and shots on goal (11), followed by senior Abby Bohanski (14/9) who has yet to crack the scoring seal this season.
Defensively, Winona State hasn't allowed more than three goals in a game this season and has played tight contests each time out with a scoring margin of only -4 over six contests. Jourdan Valkner has gloved 27 saves this year.
Doran leads the defensive unit with 546 total minutes played, having played the duration in five of six games this season.
Scouting Northern State
The Wolves (4-3-1, 2-2-1 NSIC) only have one win in their past four games and are coming off a 2-1 loss to Sioux Falls. Northern State has been limited to four goals in the past four games.
Darian Leschewski leads the Wolves and ranks sixth in the NSIC with 11 total points. She has a team-best five goals and one assist on the year. Shianne Rosselli and Stephany Estrada have two goals apiece, and two other Wolves have netted one goal this season.
Three different keepers have seen action for Northern State this year with Jessica Otto making a team-high five starts. She has gloved 32 saves, has a .900 save percentage and leads the NSIC with a .635 goals against average.
Scouting Moorhead
The Dragons (2-5, 2-3 NSIC) host Upper Iowa on Friday before welcoming the Warriors to town Sunday. Moorhead has won two of its last four games and is coming off a 1-0 shutout of SMSU.
The Dragons have netted just six goal through seven games by four different players. Carly Jo Gamrath and Tomoni Nishihara lead the offense with two goals apiece. Jessica Dallman has a team-high 12 shots and seven shots on goal while recording on goal and one assist.
Kayleigh Sedlacek has spent the bulk of the season in net for Moorhead and has recorded 47 saves while allowing 10 goals. She is averaging 1.55 goals/game.
