Winona State University (4-5, 3-3 NSIC) hits the road this weekend looking to extend both its winning streak and shutout streak. The Warriors travel to Augustana University for a 4 p.m. game on Friday and conclude the trip at Wayne State on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Warriors are coming off a very solid homestand as they defeated both Northern State and MSU-Moorhead by scores of 2-0. The win over MSU-Moorhead extended their winning streak vs. the Dragons to a record 24-straight victories dating back to 1997. A pair of wins this weekend would give WSU a winning record for the first time during the 2019 campaign.
Notes
Season 25: The 2019 campaign marks Winona State's 25th season of Warrior women's soccer. WSU entered this season with an all-time record of 325-126-31 and has reached the postseason in 21 of its 24 previous seasons. The Warriors have advanced to the NCAA Regional seven times.
Scouting Augustana: The Vikings (7-1-1 (5-0-1 NSIC)) are currently tied with Bemidji State for first place in the conference and are riding a four-game winning streak. Augie most recently defeated both Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State by 1-0 scores. The Vikings defense is their calling card, as they haven't allowed a goal in five consecutive games; last giving one up in a 3-1 victory over SMSU on September 20. The defense is led by sophomore goalkeeper Claudia Pueschner, who ranks third in the NSIC in saves (46) and fourth in save percentage (.898). As a team the Vikings are fourth in the NSIC in goals scored (15) and are led by freshman Sylvia Fehr and senior Grace Behm, who have netted four goals apiece. The Vikings are looking to get back to the postseason after falling to Central Missouri in the first round of the NCAA Regional last year.
Scouting Wayne State: The Wildcats (3-3-3 (3-2-1 NSIC)) currently sit sixth in the conference standings, just ahead of the Warriors who are seventh. Wayne State is coming off a 1-0 win at Minnesota Duluth and a tough 1-1 draw in 2OT at St. Cloud State. The Wildcats defense has been inconsistent, as they have four shutouts on the season but have also lost lopsided games to SMSU (3-0) and UMary (4-0). The defense is led by senior goalkeeper Rachel Grisham, who has 24 saves on the year and a .725 save percentage. Wayne State's offense has only scored five total goals on the year and are led by junior Rylie Wehner, who has two goals and one assist. The Wildcats are attempting to qualify for their first NSIC tournament birth since 2006.
Lockdown D: The WSU Warriors defense has been suffocating lately, as they have only allowed two goals in their last four games. Sophomore goalie Yanel Ortiz recorded her fourth and fifth career shutouts last weekend and has made 46 total saves on the year. Senior Taylor Johnson, freshman Bailey Deininger, and freshman Katie Timmons are making Ortiz's job easy, as they have only allowed 32 total shots in the last four games combined, many of those from 20 yards out or more.
The Greek Freak: Junior Georgette Topalis has been on a tear this year, netting a team-best four goals on just 10 total shots. She has a knack for finding the back of the net in any way possible as she managed to chip the MSU-Moorhead keeper from around 20 yards out last week in a 2-0 shutout victory. Topalis' four goals on the season matches her total from her first two years and Winona, and she will only get better from here.
Swiss Army Knife: Both senior Courtney Wiencek and freshman Jaida Wiege seem to do it all on the field every game. Wiencek has tallied two goals and three assists on the season while Wiege has one of each. Both effect the game in more ways than statistics can show, as their presence on the field opens up opportunities for other Warriors to get involved. Wiege uses her outstanding speed to streak down the line and put balls in the box and Wiencek is always all over the field, playing what seems like every position for 90 minutes a game.
Looking Ahead: After the Warriors face Augustana and Wayne State this weekend, they will be on the road again next week to face a struggling Minnesota Duluth (1-5 NSIC) and a .500 team in St. Cloud State (2-2-2 NSIC). If the Warriors want to qualify for the NSIC Playoffs these next four games will be crucial.
