Soccer | 8/28/2018 3:50:00 PM
Live Stats
The Minnesota State University Moorhead women's soccer team opens its third year of competition in the
Christie Kopietz head coaching era this week with a pair of games in Washington. MSUM opens the 2018 season on Thursday against Simon Fraser University at 6 p.m. Central time in Seattle, Wash.
MSUM will also face Seattle Pacific at 3 p.m. Central on Saturday to conclude the trip.
Last season, the Dragons finished with a record of 1-13-3 and will look to elevate their game in 2018 after suffering 11 one-goal losses in their 2017 campaign. MSUM went 1-0-1 in exhibition play this season, having defeated Jamestown and tying the University of Winnipeg.
"Sitting here in my office thinking about last fall I am proud of our accomplishments but it left a hunger in my mouth. We lost many games 1-0 or in overtime," Kopietz said. "It was a big progression from fall 2016 but it was tough on the team to expend so much physical and emotional energy on each game and not come out with the result we wanted. We spent a lot of time in the offseason working on where and how to finish in front of the goal. I am confident the team feels growth in their ability to finish."
MSUM returns eight starters from the 2017 roster, including leading scorer
Jessica Dallman. Dallman had eight points last season and was an All-NSIC honorable mention pick for the Dragons. Senior defenders
Kendall Schauer and
Kylee Billings and Junior defender
Lindsey Brownell return after starting every game last season.
"With seven seniors returning,
Kendall Schauer,
Jessica Dallman,
Annika Greaney,
Hannah Loos,
Tomomi Nishihara,
Marissa Wong and
Kylee Billings, I truly believe their wisdom and experience can make a mark on the program this fall," Kopietz said. "On top of that we return eight of the 11 starters from last fall which will only help with consistency in our ability to execute our tactical plan."
After the two non conference games in Washington, MSUM opens the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference season on Sept. 9 vs. Northern State.
"As a program we strive for constant improvement with hard work, discipline and grit," Kopietz said. "We expect to continue to push the envelope with our results and make waves in the NSIC."
The Opponents
Simon Fraser University (B.C.)
Simon Fraser University finished the 2017 season with a 7-9-0 overall record and went 5-7 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. They return eight starters, four of which were All-GNAC honorees last season. Emma Pringle had 14 goals and three assists to earn First Team All-GNAC honors. Midfielder Jenna-Lee Baxter recorded two goals and 13 assists to place her on the First Team All-GNAC. Also returning are All-GNAC honorable mention honorees Allyson Dickson, a Senior defender, and Katelyn Erhardsen, a Senior forward. The Clan will look to replace Senior goalkeeper Priya Sadhu from last year's team. Sadhu started all 16 games in the net and posted a 1.76 goals against average.
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle Pacific University finished the 2017 season 10-7-0 overall and went 8-4-0 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. The Falcons saw their nation-leading 14-year NCAA Tournament streak come to an end last season in a 2-0 GNAC Tournament loss. Sophia Chilczuk was named the GNAC Freshman of the Year after posting four goals and three assists. Sophomore Claire Neder returns to the midfield after tallying four assists last season. Senior Kaytlin Willis, an All-West Region defender, returns to a backline that allowed just 1.09 goals per game in 2017. Five All-GNAC honorees return, but the Falcons will look to replace four-year starting goalkeeper Molly Stinson who holds a school-record 278 career saves.
