WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University soccer team - having played a pair of exhibition contests already this fall - opens the 2022 season on the road, taking on the University of Nebraska Kearney on Friday, August 26.
Winona State, looking to rebound from a 4-13-1 campaign last fall, returns several experienced players who appear poised to make an impact for head coach
Matt Kellogg. In Nebraska, the Winona State back line will likely be led by
Bailey Deininger, a two-time NSIC Preseason Player to Watch at WSU.
Friday's contest marks the first-ever meeting between the schools. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
GAME & FAN INFORMATION
- Live stats and live video are available at the links above.
- The contest will take place at the Cope Stadium at Foster Field.
- There is no admission charge for the contest.
WINONA STATE STORYLINES
- WSU has outstanding depth in goal, with three returners; senior Yanel Ortiz and sophomores Alyson Jumper and Chloe Swanson.
- WSU returns a pair of key attacking players who factored heavily in goal production last fall; Riley Harmon and Jaida Wiege will be looked to for producing goal scoring opportunities.
- Last season, the Warriors played in nine, one-goal games.
- WSU will be led by captains Reanne Weil, Riley Harmon and Bailey Deininger
- Winona State was picked ninth in the NSIC Coaches poll
- Defender Deininger has been on the field for the last seven WSU shutouts.
- Winona State held NCAA Division I Southern Indiana to one goal in a 1-0 exhibition loss last week.
- Head coach Matt Kellogg (60-124-18) heads into 2022 for his 13th season as a head coach. Kellogg was previously at Kalamazoo, Ferris State and North Dakota.
- Winona State will play their first seven matches on the road to open 2022.
- WSU added assistant coaches Jill Leibforth and Joe Davis this past summer.
Nebraska Kearney Lopers STORYLINES
- Nebraska Kearney is entering it's 14th season of play in women's soccer.
- The Lopers added transfer goalkeeper Mackenzie Smith who earned 2021 All-GPAC honors at Midland University
- Nebraska Kearney has not won a season-opener since 2017.
- The Lopers return three All-MIAA selections; Raegan Downham, Lily Engeman and Dolcie Hanlon.
- Rob Brenton enters his first season as head coach at UNK
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit:
www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and
@WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words:
Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.
