WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University soccer team opens the 2023 season on the road for a Warrior Weekend, taking on McKendree University on Friday, Sep 1. and Upper Iowa, Sunday, Sep. 3. 
 
Winona State recently concluded their fall camp with a scrimmage against Loras College to start off the season.  Last fall, WSU earned a 9-6-4 campaign mark and returns several experienced players who appear poised to make an impact for new head coach Jill Leibforth. In Iowa, the Winona State Warriors are being hosted by former NSIC team Upper Iowa, now a part of the GLVC.  
 
Friday's contest marks the first-ever meeting between McKendree and WSU. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.  On Sunday, Winona State will take on the Peacocks, owning a 12-5-1 record over UIU in the most recent 18 matchups.  WSU beat Upper Iowa 3-1 on Oct. 27 last season to secure a spot in the NSIC postseason. 
 
GAME & FAN INFORMATION 

• Live stats and live video are available at the links above. 

• The contest will take place at Harms-Eischeid Stadium in Fayette, Iowa.  

WINONA STATE STORYLINES 

• WSU has outstanding depth on the defensive side with seniors Madyson Dye, Hannah Dunlavy, and Morgan Liebau.  

• WSU returns a trio of key attacking players who factored heavily in goal production last fall; Reanne Weil, Madelynn Drasher, and Abigail Williams look to lead the Warriors. 

• Last season, the Warriors played in ten, one-goal games.  

• WSU will be led by Seniors Madyson Dye, Reanne Weil, Sara Charboneau, Morgan Liebau, Hannah Dunlavy, and Caylee Ludwig. 

• Winona State was picked tenth in the NSIC Coaches poll  

• Winona State played NCAA Division III Loras College, who is ranked top 15 in the country in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Top 25, in a scrimmage last week that ended in a score of 1-1. 

• Head coach Jill Leibforth is in her first year as head coach at Winona State. 

• Leibforth coached six years as an assistant at Loras College before coming to Winona State.

• Winona State will play their first seven matches on the road to open 2023.  

• WSU assistant coach Joe Davis will join for his second year as an assistant coach and first year under Jill Leibforth. 

McKendree Bearcat STORYLINES 

• McKendree was ranked second in the GLVC preseason coaches' poll compiling 142 points. 

• Head coach Tim Strange will enter his 25th season leading the Bearcats with a record of 122-50-26 / 87-34-21 since McKendree joined the GLVC and NCAA in 2013. 

• The Bearcats will return their All-GLVC first-team members in senior forward Anna Stiffler, graduate defender Morgan Bova, and graduate midfielder Allison Frederking along with the two other all-league honorees with fifth year goalkeeper Abby Tucker and junior Reagan Mauch. 

• Stiffler also sits as the GLVC's reigning Offensive Player of the Year, which she earned after a monster 30-point and 14-goal year. In 2022, McKendree out-paced opposing squads with a total of 35 goals (1.75 per game) to just 15 (0.75 per game). 

Upper Iowa STORYLINES 

• Upper Iowa was ranked 13th in the GLVC preseason coaches' poll compiling 24 points. 

• Head coach Josh Davis will enter his second season leading the Peacocks. UIU was 2-12-4 last season. 

• Upper Iowa returns 10 players from last season, which includes leading scorer Rachyl Benavides. 

• Davis also welcomes back four other starters in Chloe Jarsosz, Nevaeh James, Isabelle Wagner and Katrina Kazluski.  

• In 2022, Upper Iowa was shut out seven times.  

For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.