MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead women's soccer gets its season started on the pitch this Saturday by hosting the Western Colorado University Mountaineers in a game that kicks off at noon. They will then travel to Bismark, N.D., for a non-conference tilt with Mary.

Live stats and video are available at msumdragons.com

About the Dragons

Looking to get the 2023 season started on a high note, Dragons eighth-year head coach Christie Kopietz will look to guide her team to victory in this pair of opening contests. MSUM was picked 13^th in the NSIC preseason coaches' poll, after going 2-11-3 last season.

MSUM has an experienced roster this year as they have ten seniors returning, as well as a few impact juniors and sophomores that played a key role last year. Atop this list of key players for the Dragons are two standouts, each of whom were tabbed with being MSUM's players to watch for the upcoming 2023 season. Sophomore forward Jensen Seidel, and junior defender Sara Alfrida Munk Nielsen. Seidel, who had a terrific freshman campaign, scored a team-leading four goals and 15 shots on goal, to go along with 815 total minutes played. Munk Nielsen garnered a lot of praise from her head coach for the way she plays the game, "Sara is an aggressive intelligent soccer player… she puts her body on the line for her teammates and the program," Kopietz said. Last season, Munk Nielsen played 957 minutes, which was good for fifth-most on the team. 

About Western Colorado University

The Mountaineers went 6-10-2 last year under the guidance of head coach Amanda Raso. This season, they were picked ninth in the RMAC preseason coaches' poll. Last season they scored 16 goals with no players scoring more than two as the Mountaineers bolstered a well-rounded club in 2022. Sophomore defender Karly Morkunas led the team in minutes played last season with 1586.

About U-Mary

Last season the Marauders finished the year 10-5-4 overall, and 7-4-4 in conference play. They are coached by Sarah Cook, who has led the Marauders since 2012. The Marauders are highly regarded this year as they were picked fifth in the NSIC preseason coaches' poll. Junior forward Kendra Clark is one player to keep an eye on, as she scored a team-leading seven goals last season to go along with three assists. Mary was also very stout on defense last year, only allowing 12 goals in 19 total games.