WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University Warriors return to their home turn to face a pair of conference foes in Northern State and MSU Moorhead at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium. Kickoff vs. Northern State is set for 5 p.m. on Friday with the finale slated for 1 p.m. on Sunday with MSU Moorhead.
Despite losing four of their last five games, the Warriors are looking to build off a solid road trip last week. WSU matched its season high in goals with a 3-1 victory over Minnesota Crookston before falling in a tightly contested affair to the defending conference champs Bemidji State, 1-0. A pair of weekend wins would even the Warriors' NSIC record ahead of an upcoming slate of four straight road matches.
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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 Northern State: The Wolves (3-3-0) enter Friday's contest coming off a solid 2-0 win over Sioux Falls. Prior to that victory, Northern State had lost three straight by a count of 1-0. The Wolves (1-2 NSIC) are attempting to make their first conference tournament appearance since 2016. Senior Stephany Estrada and sophomore Gaby Roman currently lead Northern State in goals scored with two apiece. All six of the Wolves' goals have come off assists as NSU has shown efficiency in the passing game. Seniors Shianne Rosselli and Vanessa Mejia have two assists apiece. Junior goalkeeper Morgan Bury has been dominant in the back for the Wolves this season allowing just three goals over six games while posting a .921 save percentage, which is good for third in the conference. The Warriors and Wolves have split their last four meetings with two wins apiece.
Scouting MSU-Moorhead: The Dragons (3-2-2, 1-2-1 NSIC) are a program on the rise, as their trio of wins already this year are just one off their entire total in 2018. However, MSU-Moorhead is coming off back-to-back losses to Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State as the Dragons travel to Upper Iowa Friday prior to Sunday's matchup in Winona. Freshman Mckenzie Ickert and junior Jensen Odegaard lead the Dragons in goals scored (2) while Ickert also leads the way in assists (2). Offensively, the Dragons have netted just two goals over their last four games entering the weekend. Sophomore Kayleigh Sedlacek has been the primary goalkeeper for the Dragons this season and has only allowed three goals in six appearances with a .903 save percentage. Winona State has won 23 straight games vs. Moorhead dating back to a 1-0 loss in 1997.
Spread the Wealth: The Warriors have 10 goals on the year scored by seven different players. Junior Georgette Topalis leads the way (3) while senior Courtney Wiencek is the only other Warrior with multiple goals (2). Half of the Warriors' goals have been assisted on and senior defender Taylor Johnson leads the way in that category (2).
First Impressions: The Warrior freshman class is making the most of their playing opportunities early this season as Jaida Wiege, Bailey Deininger and Ashley Hewitt each tallied a goal in WSU's 3-1 victory at Minnesota Crookston. Both Wiege and Deininger have started all seven games for the Warriors this year while defender Jessie Zach has started every game she has played (5). Major contributions from Hewitt, Ellie Wardell and Katie Timmons show signs of a great future for the Warrior program.
Better Days Ahead: The Warriors opened NSIC play with the toughest first four games in the league. Three of the Warriors' first four games were against teams that currently sit in the top four of the conference, including Minnesota State who is currently ranked No. 4 in the country. With the gauntlet of their schedule behind them, the Warriors will look to get back to their winning ways as five of their next eight games are against teams below .500.
